Endogenously released DOPA is a causal factor for glutamate release and resultant delayed neuronal cell death by transient ischemia in rat striata.

Glutamate is implicated in neuronal cell death. Exogenously applied DOPA by itself releases neuronal glutamate and causes neuronal cell death in in vitro striatal systems. Herein, we attempt to clarify whether endogenous DOPA is released by 10 min transient ischemia due to four-vessel occlusion during rat striatal microdialysis and, further, whether DOPA, when released, functions to cause glutamate release and resultant delayed neuronal cell death. Ischemia increased extracellular DOPA, dopamine, and glutamate, and elicited neuronal cell death 96 h after ischemic insult. Inhibition of striatal L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase 10 min before ischemia increased markedly basal DOPA, tripled glutamate release with a tendency of decrease in dopamine release by ischemia, and exaggerated neuronal cell death. Intrastriatal perfusion of 10-30 nM DOPA cyclohexyl ester, a competitive DOPA antagonist, 10 min before ischemia, concentration-dependently decreased glutamate release without modification of dopamine release by ischemia. At 100 nM, the antagonist elicited a slight ceiling effect on decreases in glutamate release by ischemia and protected neurons from cell death. Glutamate was released concentration-dependently by intrastriatal perfusion of 0.3-1 mM DOPA and stereoselectively by 0.6 mM DOPA. The antagonist elicited no hypothermia during and after ischemia. Endogenously released DOPA is an upstream causal factor for glutamate release and resultant delayed neuronal cell death by brain ischemia in rat striata. DOPA antagonist has a neuroprotective action.

DOPA cyclohexyl ester, a competitive DOPA antagonist, protects glutamate release and resultant delayed neuron death by transient ischemia in hippocampus CA1 of conscious rats.

In rat striata, DOPA released is a causal factor for glutamate release and resultant delayed neuron death by four-vessel occlusion. Nanomolar DOPA cyclohexyl ester (CHE), a potent and relatively stable competitive DOPA antagonist, protects these events. We tried to clarify whether DOPA CHE protects these events in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell layers most vulnerable against ischemia. Five to 10 min ischemia caused slight to mild glutamate release in 10 min samples during microdialysis and mild to severe neuron death 96 h after reperfusion. DOPA and dopamine were under assay limit in this design, but were basally detected by 20 min sampling and released by 20 min ischemia. In 10 min samples, intrahippocampal perfusion of 100 nM DOPA CHE 10 min before ischemia for 70 min did not inhibit glutamate release by 10 min ischemia, while it abolished glutamate release and protected delayed neuron death by 5 min ischemia. DOPA CHE is neuroprotective under a mild ischemic condition in rat hippocampus CA1.

L-DOPA cyclohexyl ester is a novel potent and relatively stable competitive antagonist against L-DOPA among several L-DOPA ester compounds.

We explored L-DOPA esters with chemically bulky structures to find a potent stable competitive antagonist against L-DOPA, compared to DOPA methyl ester (DOPA ME). In anesthetized rats, DOPA cyclohexyl ester (DOPA CHE), DOPA cyclopentyl ester (DOPA CPE) and DOPA cyclopentyldimethyl ester (DOPA CPDME) at 1 microgram microinjected into depressor sites of the nucleus tractus solitarii elicited or tended to elicit more marked antagonism against depressor responses to 60 ng L-DOPA, compared to DOPA ME. At 100 ng, DOPA CHE elicited the most potent antagonism. At 1 microgram, duration of the antagonistic activity of DOPA CHE was approximately three times longer than that of DOPA ME. During microdialysis of the nucleus accumbens, conversion from DOPA CHE at 1 microM perfused via probes to extracellular L-DOPA was the lowest among these compounds and less than one half of that from DOPA ME. Binding studies showed that the recognition site for L-DOPA differs from ionotropic glutamatergic, dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors. We recently found that L-DOPA evoked by transient ischemia may act as a DOPA CHE-sensitive causal factor for glutamate release and resultant neuronal cell death. DOPA CHE is the most potent, relatively stable competitive antagonist against L-DOPA and is a useful mother compound to develop neuroprotective drugs.

Some interactions of L-DOPA and its related compounds with glutamate receptors.

L-DOPA is probably a transmitter and/or modulator in the central nervous system (1). L-DOPA methyl ester (DOPA ME) is a competitive L-DOPA antagonist. However, it remains to be clarified whether there exist L-DOPAergic receptors. In Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with rat brain poly(A)+ RNA, L-DOPA induced small inward currents with ED50 of 2.2 mM at a holding potential of -70 mV. The currents were abolished by kynurenic acid or CNQX. Similar L-DOPA-currents were seen in oocytes co-injected with AMPA receptors, GluRs1,2,3 and 4. In brain membrane preparations, L-DOPA inhibited specific binding of [3H]-AMPA with IC50 of 260 microM. This inhibition was not modified by 200 microM ascorbic acid, an antioxidant. L-DOPA did not inhibit binding of [3H]-ligands of MK-801, kainate, DCKA and CGP39653. DOPA ME and L-DOPA cyclohexyl ester, a novel, potent and competitive antagonist (2), inhibited specific binding of [3H]-MK-801 with respective IC50 of 1 and 0.68 mM, but elicited no effect on that of the other [3H]-ligands. With low affinities, L-DOPA acts on AMPA receptors, while competitive antagonists act on NMDA ion channel domain. L-DOPAergic agonist and antagonist may not interact on ionotropic glutamate receptors. DOPA ME-sensitive L-DOPA recognition sites (1) seem to differ from glutamate receptors.

Unique binding pocket for KW-4679 in the histamine H1 receptor.

The histamine H1 receptor has an aspartate (Asp) residue in transmembrane helix 3 (TM3), which is well-conserved among biogenic amine receptors. The Asp residue is one of the most crucial amino acids for ligand binding. The tested histamine H1 receptor antagonists with tri- and tetracyclic structures were not selective for histamine H1 receptors and showed affinity for several other biogenic amine receptors. In contrast, KW-4679 ((Z)-11-[3-(dimethylamino)propylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b, e]oxepin-2-acetic acid hydrochloride), a tricyclic compound, was a selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist. [3H]KW-4679 had high affinity (Kd value of 2.5 +/- 0.12 nM) for wild-type human histamine H1 receptors. In the [3H]KW-4679 binding assay, replacement of Asp107 by alanine by site-directed mutagenesis greatly reduced the affinities (280-2100-fold) of tri- and tetracyclic compounds, whereas this mutation led to a comparatively small reduction (14-fold) in KW-4679 affinity. These results demonstrate that the tested tri- and tetracyclic histamine H1 receptor antagonists which have a tight interaction with the Asp residue are not selective for the histamine H1 receptor. Furthermore, the high selectivity of KW-4679 might be explained by a unique binding pocket, which consists of the Asp residue and other acceptor sites, in the histamine H1 receptor.

L-DOPA cyclohexyl ester is a novel stable and potent competitive antagonist against L-DOPA, as compared to L-DOPA methyl ester.

We explore stable potent competitive antagonists against L-DOPA. In anesthetized rats, DOPA cyclohexyl ester (DOPA CHE) (30-100 ng) microinjected in depressor sites of the nucleus tractus solitarii dose-dependently shifted the dose-response-curve for L-DOPA (18-300 ng) to the right, with DOPA CHE (100 ng)-induced slight reduction of the maximum response. DOPA methyl ester (DOPA ME) at 100 ng also produced competitive antagonism. Antagonistic activity of DOPA CHE (100 ng) was similar to that of DOPA ME (300 ng). DOPA CHE is suitable for the purpose of screening.

Dibenzoxepin derivatives: thromboxane A2 synthase inhibition and thromboxane A2 receptor antagonism combined in one molecule.

A new series of 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin derivatives exerting both thromboxane synthase inhibitory (TXS-I) and thromboxane receptor antagonist (TXRA) activities is described. (-)-11-[(3-Pyridylmethyl)thio]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin -2- carboxylic acid [(-)-3] and (E)-11-[2-(3-pyridyl)ethylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin+ ++-2- carboxylic acid methanesulfonate (11E) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on bovine platelet thromboxane synthase with IC50 values of 4.0 and 14 nM, respectively, and these derivatives also antagonized guinea pig platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptors with Ki values of 85 and 180 nM, respectively. Compound 11E exhibited the dual inhibitory activity in ex vivo experiments and demonstrated a significant protective effect in a rat acute renal failure model.

Synthesis of a dibenz[b,e]oxepin-bovine serum albumin conjugate for radioimmunoassay of KW-4679 ((Z)-11-[3-(dimethylamino)propylidene]-6,11- dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid hydrochloride).

(Z)-11-[3-(Dimethylamino)propylidene]-2-(methoxycarbonyl)methyl-6, 11- dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-9-acrylic acid (5) was prepared for application to the radioimmunoassay of KW-4679 (1, (Z)-11-[3-(dimethylamino)propylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e ] oxepin-2-acetic acid hydrochloride). The acrylic acid moiety in the 9-position of 5 was employed for coupling with an amino group of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to provide 17. Subsequently, the conjugate 17 was treated with aqueous NaOH to hydrolyze the terminal methoxycarbonyl group in the 2-position of the BSA conjugated 5. Antiserum raised against the antigenic BSA-conjugate 4 finally obtained was specific for 1.

Non-prostanoid thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists with a dibenzoxepin ring system. 1.

A series of 11-[[2-[(arylsulfonyl)amino]ethyl]thio]-6,11- dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-carboxylic acids and related derivatives were synthesized. The compounds were tested for their antagonizing effects on guinea pig platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptors. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. (+/-)-11-[[2-[(Styrylsulfonyl)amino]ethyl]-thio]-6,11- dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-carboxylic acid (41) and (+/-)-11-[[2-[(phenylsulfonyl)amino]ethyl]thio]-6,11- dihydrodibenz[b,e]thiepin-2-carboxylic acid (4af) were the most promising compounds with K(i) values of 6.5 +/- 0.29 and 3.7 +/- 0.31 nM, respectively, for the TXA2/PGH2 receptor. These compounds also significantly inhibited U-46619-induced guinea pig platelet aggregation ex vivo (10 mg/kg po). Compound 41 was resolved into its optically active form. The (-)-isomer was 60-fold more potent than the (+)-isomer in the TXA2/PGH2 receptor binding assay. Some compounds tested in this study showed both TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonizing and TXA2 synthase inhibitory effects.

Non-prostanoid thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists with a dibenzoxepin ring system. 2.

A series of 11-[2-(1-benzimidazolyl)ethylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxep in-2- carboxylic acid derivatives and related compounds were synthesized and found to be potent TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonists. Each compound synthesized was tested for its ability to displace [3H]U-46619 binding from guinea pig platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptors. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the following key elements were required for enhanced activities: (1) an (E)-2-(1-benzimidazolyl)ethylidene side chain in the 11-position of the dibenzoxepin ring system and (2) a carboxyl group in the 2-position of the dibenzoxepin ring system. The studies also indicated that the TXA2/PGH2 receptor binding affinities of this series of compounds in guinea pig platelet were poorly correlated with those in human platelet. Introduction of substituent(s) to the benzimidazole moiety was effective and sodium (E)-11-[2-(5,6-dimethyl-1-benzimidazolyl)ethylidene]- 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-carboxylate monohydrate (57) recorded the highest affinity for human platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptor with a K(i) value of 1.2 +/- 0.14 nM. It demonstrated potent inhibitory effects on U-46619-induced guinea pig platelet aggregation (in vitro and ex vivo) and human platelet aggregation (in vitro). Compound 57, now designated as KW-3635, is a novel, orally active, and specific TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist with neither TXA2/PGH2 receptor agonistic nor TXA2 synthase inhibitory effects. It is now under clinical evaluation.

Effects of KW-3635, a novel dibenzoxepin derivative of a selective thromboxane A2 antagonist, on human, guinea pig and rat platelets.

We examined the binding of [3H]U-46619, a thromboxane A2 agonist, to human and guinea pig platelets and the binding of [3H]SQ 29,548, a thromboxane A2 antagonist, to human, rat and guinea pig platelets. KW-3635 (sodium (E)-11-[2-(5,6-dimethyl-1- benzimidazolyl)ethylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-c arboxylate monohydrate) concentration-dependently inhibited the [3H]U-46619 binding to human and guinea pig platelets with inhibition constants of 1.2 nM and 2.7 nM, respectively. KW-3635 also potently inhibited the [3H]SQ 29,548 binding to human and guinea pig platelets with inhibition constants of 1.9 nM and 3.2 nM, respectively. In contrast, KW-3635 was less active against thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptors in rat platelets with an inhibition constant of 97 nM. KW-3635 at 10(-5) M did not antagonize various receptors including prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin I2 and neurotransmitters. In addition, 10(-5) M KW-3635 did not alter the prostaglandin D2-induced cAMP accumulation in EBTr cells. KW-3635 was inactive towards thromboxane synthase, cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin I2 synthase up to 10(-5) M. KW-3635 slightly inhibited 5-lipoxygenase with an IC50 value of 71 microM. These data indicate that KW-3635 is a potent and selective non-prostanoic thromboxane A2 antagonist, and it can recognize the species differences in thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptors.

Synthesis and antiallergic activity of 11-(aminoalkylidene)-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin derivatives.

A new series of 11-substituted 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-carboxylic acid derivatives was synthesized and demonstrated to be orally active antiallergic agents. These compounds are structurally related to 1 (KW-4994), which we had reported previously to be a new antiallergic agent. Most compounds synthesized exhibited potent inhibitory effects on 48-h homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and on IgG1-mediated bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. Additionally, compounds possessing a terminal carboxyl group at the 2-position of the dibenz[b,e]oxepin ring system exhibited inhibitory effects on specific [3H]pyrilamine binding to guinea pig cerebellum histamine H1 receptors, whereas these demonstrated negligible effects on specific [3H]QNB binding to rat striatum muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptors. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the following key elements were required for enhanced antiallergic activities: (1) a 3-(dimethylamino)propylidene group as the side chain at the 11-position, (2) a terminal carboxyl moiety at the 2-position, and (3) a dibenzoxepin ring system. Among the compounds synthesized, (Z)-11-[3-(dimethylamino)propylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz [b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid hydrochloride (16) was selected for further evaluation. It had an ED50 value of 0.049 mg/kg po in the PCA test in rats and an ID50 value of 0.030 mg/kg po in inhibiting anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. Furthermore, it had a Ki value of 16 +/- 0.35 nM for the histamine H1 receptor, while it exhibited negligible CNS side effects up to a dose of 600 mg/kg po. Compound 16 is now under clinical evaluation as KW-4679.

Antiplatelet effects of the novel thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist sodium (E)-11-[2-(5,6-dimethyl-1-benzimidazolyl)-ethylidene]-6,11- dihydrodibenz[b,e] oxepine-2-carboxylate monohydrate.

The effects of KW-3635 (sodium (E)-11-[2-(5,6-dimethyl-1-benzimidazolyl)- ethylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e] oxepine-2-carboxylate monohydrate, CAS 127166-41-0) on platelet aggregation were examined. In human washed platelets, KW-3635 shifted the concentration-aggregation curves for U-46619, a thromboxane A2 (TxA2) mimetic, to the right. The pA2 value for KW-3635 was 8.8 +/- 0.10, while those for sulotroban and daltroban were 6.31 +/- 0.18 and 7.75 +/- 0.07, respectively. In human platelet rich plasma (PRP), KW-3635 at 10(-8) mol/l to 10(-6) mol/l inhibited the aggregations induced by U-46619 (1 mumol/l) or collagen (1.5 micrograms/ml). However, KW-3635 at up to 10(-5) mol/l did not affect the primary phase of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate or epinephrine. KW-3635 at 10(-5) mol/l did not affect the antiaggregatory effects of the prostaglandins PGI2, PGE1 and PGD2. These results indicate that KW-3635 is a potent and selective TxA2 receptor antagonist. The TxA2 antagonistic effects of KW-3635 were compared with that of daltroban in PRP from various animals species. The effects of KW-3635 on platelet aggregation were species-dependent and KW-3635 exhibited the most prominent activity in human platelets. The activities of KW-3635 in mouse and rabbit PRP were much less potent. In PRP from guinea-pigs, dogs, cats and rats, KW-3635 exhibited moderate anti-aggregatory effects. In the guinea-pig PRP, KW-3635 at 10(-7) mol/l to 3 x 10(-6) mol/l inhibited both the platelet aggregation and the concomitant adenosine triphosphate secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, the effect being more potent than those of sulotroban and daltroban. In the experiments on the platelet aggregation ex vivo in guinea-pigs, KW-3635 at oral doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg inhibited the aggregations induced by U-46619 (1, 3 mumol/l), collagen (3, 6, 9 micrograms/ml) and arachidonate (50, 100 mumol/l). The effects lasted for longer than 7 h following oral administration. These results indicate that KW-3635 is a specific and orally active TxA2 receptor antagonist. KW-3635 is expected to be a drug useful for the treatment of patients with thrombotic disorders.

A new series of antiallergic agents. I. Synthesis and activity of 11-(2-aminoethyl)thio-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin derivatives.

A new series of 11-substituted 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for antiallergic activity. Convenient methods for the preparation of sulfides from alcohols were developed. Structure-activity relationships are described. Compound 7, 11-[2-(dimethylamin)ethyl]thio-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e] oxepin-2-carboxylic acid hydrochloride, was the most potent in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test (ED50 = 0.92 mg/kg p.o.). It had a potent inhibitory effect on anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs (ED50 = 0.029 mg/kg p.o.) and H1 receptor antagonistic effect (Ki = 14 nM) with few central nervous system side effects. Additionally, an antagonistic effect against prostaglandin D2-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig trachea (pA2 = 5.73) was an attractive mechanism of action of the new antiallergic agent. Compound 7 was selected for further evaluation as KW-4994.

A new series of antiallergic agents. II. Synthesis and activity of new 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-carboxylic acid derivatives.

New methods for the preparation of multi-functionalized-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepins were developed. The structural requirements of KW-4994 (1), a promising orally active antiallergic agent, were defined. A carboxyl group at C-2 was critical for enhanced antiallergic activity of 1. The introduction of bromine atom at C-9 of 1 could elongate the duration of the action of the parent. Antiplatelet activity, a new pharmacological property of this series of compounds, was observed in one of the derivatives of 1.

Natural 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is an epimeric mixture.

Radiolabeled 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was prepared in vitro by using chicken kidney homogenates and in vivo in rats from [23,24-3H]-25-hydroxyvitamin D3. These compounds were mixed with synthetic (25S)- and (25R)-25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3, converted to the corresponding (+)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-trifluoromethylphenylacetyl esters, and subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography that separates the derivatized epimers. The radiolabeled 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives were a 1:1 mixture of the 25S and 25R isomers. Similarly unlabeled 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 isolated from the plasma of rats given large amounts of vitamin D3 was shown to be a 1:1 mixture of the S and R isomers. Therefore, naturally occurring 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is a mixture of the 25R and 25S isomers and not just the S isomer reported previously.