alpha-Substituted malonester amides: tools to define the relationship between ACAT inhibition and adrenal toxicity.

We prepared a series of alpha-substituted malonester amides that were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyl transferase activity in vitro and to lower plasma total cholesterol levels in a variety of cholesterol-fed animal models. Compounds of this series were also useful in examining the relationship between adrenal toxicity and ACAT inhibition. One compound from this series, 9f, was a potent inhibitor of ACAT in both the microsomal and cellular assays. It was also bioavailable as determined by both a bioassay and a HPLC-UV assay. This compound was evaluated in both guinea pig and dog models of adrenal toxicity and compared to tetrazole amide 15. In the most sensitive species, the dog, both of these compounds achieved good plasma levels; however, compound 9f caused adrenal necrosis, whereas compound 15 had no effect on the adrenal gland. This adds to the growing body of evidence that the adrenal toxicity observed with ACAT inhibitors may not be mechanism related.

Inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT) as hypocholesterolemic agents: synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel series of sulfonamides, acylphosphonamides and acylphosphoramidates.

Sulfoacetic acid, phosphoramidate, and phosphoramide analogs of the ACAT inhibitors, CI-999 and CI-1011 were synthesized. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds as ACAT inhibitors are described.

Bioisosterism in drug design: identification of and structure-activity relationships in a series of glycine anilide ACAT inhibitors.

To examine the effects of bioisosteric replacement on the biological activity of our previously disclosed disubstituted urea inhibitors of the enzyme acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), we prepared a series of N'-substituted and N',N'-disubstituted glycine anilides. These compounds were tested for the ability to inhibit ACAT in vitro and lower plasma total cholesterol in cholesterol-fed rats given a single high-fat, high-cholesterol meal. ACAT inhibitory potency was greatest in compounds containing 2,6-diisopropyl substituents in the anilide portion with the glycine nitrogen substituted by a 1,1-diphenylmethyl moiety. Small improvements in potency in vitro were obtained by substitution of electron donating groups in the 2-, 3- or 5-positions of the aryl rings of the 1,1-diphenylmethyl moiety, but not by substitution in the 4-position. In vitro potency was maintained, but not improved by acylation of the glycine nitrogen. Through a QSAR analysis of in vitro ACAT inhibition for this set of compounds, an equation could be derived which accounted for 85% of the variance in the dataset. An optimal clogp of 6.65 was found, comparable to that found for other series of ACAT inhibitors. In general, compounds from this series displayed inhibitory potency against ACAT in vitro and hypocholesterolemic activity in the in vivo rat model of hypercholesterolemia comparable to that found with the ureas.

Inhibitors of acyl-Coa:cholesterol acyltransferase. 4. A novel series of urea ACAT inhibitors as potential hypocholesterolemic agents.

We have synthesized a series of N-phenyl-N'-aralkyl and N-phenyl-N'-(1-phenylcycloalkyl)ureas as inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). This intracellular enzyme is thought to be responsible for the esterification of dietary cholesterol; hence inhibition of this enzyme could reduce diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. For this series of compounds, the in vitro ACAT inhibitory activity was improved by increasing the bulk of the 2,6-substituents on the phenyl ring. Additionally, we found that spacing of the aromatic rings was critical for ACAT inhibitory activity. A phenyl ring five atoms away from the requisite 2,6-diisopropylphenyl moiety was optimal for in vitro activity. Substitution alpha to the N'-phenyl moiety enhanced in vitro potency. In the case of phenylcycloalkyl ureas, ACAT inhibitory activity was independent of the size of the cycloalkyl ring. From this series of analogs, compound 25, which had excellent in vitro potency for inhibiting ACAT, was found to lower plasma cholesterol by 73% in vivo when administered in the diet at 50 mg/kg in an animal model of hypercholesterolemia. In this model, compound 25 lowered plasma cholesterol dose dependently and was as efficacious as the Lederle ACAT inhibitor CL 277082.

Inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). 2. Modification of fatty acid anilide ACAT inhibitors: bioisosteric replacement of the amide bond.

In order to further define the structural features necessary for potent inhibition of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in vitro and cholesterol lowering in vivo, systematic study of bioisosteric replacements for the amide bond in our previously identified series of fatty acid anilide ACAT inhibitors was undertaken. Only replacement of amide bonds with isosterases having both hydrogen bond donor and acceptor functionalities yielded compounds retaining ACAT inhibitory activity. Replacement of the amide bond with the urea bioisostere yielded compounds that were potent ACAT inhibitors in vitro and efficacious hypocholesterolemic agents in vivo. Examination of the structure activity relationships in the phenyl ring and alkyl portion of the N-phenyl-N'-alkylureas revealed that 2,6-diisopropyl substitution was optimal in the phenyl ring. When the 2,6-diisopropyl moiety was kept constant, potency in vitro and in vivo was maintained with straight and branched alkyl groups from 6 to 18 carbons in length.

Inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. 6. trans-6-[2-(2-N-heteroaryl-3,5-disubstituted- pyrazol-4-yl)ethyl/ethenyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-ones.

A series of N-heteroaryl-substituted mevalonolactones were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase both in vitro and in vivo, and to lower plasma cholesterol in a hypercholesterolemic dog model. The goal of the strategy employed was to design an inhibitor which possessed the pharmacological properties of lovastatin (1), and the physicochemical properties (increased hydrophilicity) of pravastatin (2). Two compounds 20a and 20b, were more potent than lovastatin at inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis both in vitro and in vivo. In terms of plasma cholesterol lowering, 20a was much more efficacious than lovastatin. In addition to possessing increased biological activity, these compounds are significantly less lipophilic than lovastatin, in fact, 20b has a CLOGP value comparable to pravastatin.

Inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase. 1. Identification and structure-activity relationships of a novel series of fatty acid anilide hypocholesterolemic agents.

A series of fatty acid anilides was prepared, and compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit the enzyme acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in vitro and to lower plasma total cholesterol and elevate high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in cholesterol-fed rats in vivo. The compounds reported were found to fall into two subclasses with different anilide SAR. For nonbranched acyl analogues, inhibitory potency was found to be optimal with bulky 2,6-dialkyl substitution. For alpha-substituted acyl analogues, there was little dependence of in vitro potency on anilide substitution and 2,4,6-trimethoxy was uniquely preferred. Most of the potent inhibitors (IC50 less than 50 nM) were found to produce significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol in cholesterol-fed rats. Additionally, in vivo activity could be improved significantly by the introduction of alpha,alpha-disubstitution into the fatty acid portion of the molecule. A narrow group of alpha,alpha-disubstituted trimethoxyanilides, exemplified by 2,2-dimethyl-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)dodecanamide (39), was found to not only lower plasma total cholesterol (-60%) in cholesterol-fed rats but also elevate levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+94%) in this model at the screening dose of 0.05% in the diet (ca. 50 mg/kg).

New inhibitors of human renin that contain novel replacements at the P2 site.

A series of renin inhibitors with novel modifications at the P2 site has been prepared. Structure-activity relationships reveal that for a particular P2 fragment the in vitro potency is highly dependent on the nature of the P2' portion in addition to the P1-P1' group. The length of the P2 side chain and choice of epsilon-N P2 substitution have been found to be important for in vitro potency although the degree of unsaturation in the P2 side chain is not particularly significant. Molecular modeling studies have shown that it is possible for the P2 side chain to interact unfavorably with the P2' binding site. It has been possible to control the specificity for renin over cathepsin D by correct modification at the P2' and P1-P1' sites. Variations at the P4 site have been utilized to lower the log P values of these renin inhibitors while maintaining high potency. Compound 42, which exhibited an IC50 of 3.70 nM, log P of 2.3, and showed high specificity for renin, was selected for further studies. It was found to be very stable under neutral, acidic, and basic conditions. In simulated intestinal juice, compound 42 had a half-life of 37 min while it was virtually unaffected by simulated gastric juice after 4 h. Compound 42 produced a significant hypotensive response upon intravenous administration to the salt-depleted normotensive cynomolgus monkey.

Inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. 4. trans-6-[2-(substituted-quinolinyl)ethenyl/ethyl]tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2 H-pyran-2-ones, a novel series of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

A series of substituted quinoline mevalonolactones were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase both in vitro and (cholesterol biosynthesis) in vivo. Since previous studies suggested that the 4-(4-fluorophenyl) and 2-(1-methylethyl) substituents afforded optimum potency, attention was focused on variations at position 6 of the quinoline ring. Biological evaluation of a small number of analogues bearing a variety of 6-substituents showed that modification at this position had little effect on potency. Several compounds (8b, 8e, and 11) were identified that showed comparable potency to compactin and mevinolin in both the in vitro and in vivo assays.

Renin inhibitors containing isosteric replacements of the amide bond connecting the P3 and P2 sites.

Renin inhibitors having 13 different isosteres connecting the P3 and P2 positions have been prepared. Synthetic routes and in vitro activity exhibited by these compounds are discussed. The two most potent compounds, 47 and 48, contained the hydroxyethylene isostere, psi [CHOHCH2], and had IC50 values of 61 and 22 nM, respectively.

Modified di- and tripeptides of the C-terminal portion of oxytocin and vasopressin as possible cognition activation agents.

A number of peptides and modified peptides were synthesized and studied for their ability to reverse electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in rodents. A few of these peptides were selected for secondary evaluation in tests of short-term memory in rats and aged rhesus monkeys. A number of the peptides and modified peptides were active in the amnesia reversal test. In selected secondary tests, however, the chosen compounds failed to show significant activity in enhancing memory. New methods for preparing methyleneamino and methyleneoxy isosteres of peptides are reported. Other modified peptides also included methylenethio, methylenesulfonyl, and ethylene isosteres in place of the normal peptide amide bond.

Synthesis and biological activity of modified peptide inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme.

A series of non-sulfhydryl modified dipeptides related to CI-906, CI-907, and enalapril was prepared in which various isosteric moieties (O, S, SO, SO2) have been substituted for the amino group and in which the proline residue has been replaced with various hydrophobic amino acids. The compounds were evaluated in vitro for inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme and in vivo for antihypertensive activity. Compound 7c, the most potent member of this series, had an in vitro IC50 of 1.4 X 10(-8) M and showed modest oral antihypertensive activity at 30 mg/kg in conscious, two kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.