A noncyclical analog of salmon calcitonin (N alpha-propionyl Di-Ala1,7,des-Leu19 sCT) retains full potency without inducing anorexia in rats.

A new analog of salmon calcitonin (N alpha-propionyl Di-Ala1,7,des-Leu19 sCT; RG-12851; here termed CTR), which lacks the ring structure of native calcitonin, was tested for biological activity in several in vitro and in vivo assay systems. The analog (CTR) and salmon calcitonin (sCT) stimulated kidney cell adenylate cyclase activity and inhibited bone resorption in organ cultures of fetal rat long bones with similar potencies and efficacies. Furthermore, CTR and sCT, at similar doses, induced comparable hypocalcemic responses in mice following sc injection or infusions. However, unlike sCT, CTR did not induce anorexia and weight loss in rats following sc injection. These data suggest that the ring structure of sCT may be important for the anorexigenic effect but is not required for effect on bone resorption or calcium homeostasis. Clinical studies appear warranted as, potentially, CTR might induce fewer side effects than does sCT.

Development of a novel series of (2-quinolinylmethoxy)phenyl-containing compounds as high-affinity leukotriene D4 receptor antagonists. 2. Effects of an additional phenyl ring on receptor affinity.

This series of reports describe the development of orally active, highly potent, specific antagonists of the peptidoleukotrienes containing a (2-quinolinylmethoxy)phenyl moiety. The compounds reported in this paper contain an additional phenyl ring, which has significantly improved the receptor affinity. The effect of changes in the linkage between the two phenyl rings as well as the orientation of the acidic functional group on biological activity are discussed. Many of these compounds have high affinity to the sulfidopeptide leukotriene D4 receptors with Ki values ranging between 2 and 20 nM and are orally active. Compound 27 [RG 12525, 5-[[2-[[4-(2-quinolinylmethoxy)phenoxy]- methyl]phenyl]methyl]-1H-tetrazole] represents the best combination of in vitro and in vivo biological activity in this series and has been selected for further evaluation in clinical studies of asthma.

Antagonism of peptidoleukotrienes and inhibition of systemic anaphylaxis by RG 12525 in guinea pigs.

RG 12525 was determined to be a specific, competitive and orally effective antagonist of the peptidoleukotrienes, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, in several assays utilizing guinea pigs. In vitro, RG 12525 competitively inhibited 3H-LTD4 binding to lung membranes (Ki = 3.0 +/- 0.3 nM) and competitively antagonized the spasmogenic activity of LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 on lung strips (KB values = 3 nM) with greater than 8000 fold selectivity. In vivo, RG 12525 orally inhibited LTD4 induced wheal formation (ED50 = 5 mg/kg with a t1/2 = 10 hrs at 9 mg/kg), LTD4 induced bronchoconstriction (ED50 = 0.6 mg/kg), and anaphylactic death (ED50 = 2.2 mg/kg with a t1/2 = 7 hrs at 10 mg/kg) and antigen induced bronchoconstriction (ED50 = 0.6 mg/kg). RG 12525 represents a significant improvement in receptor affinity and oral efficacy and thus, is a valuable pharmacological tool to evaluate peptidoleukotrienes in allergic diseases.

Pharmacological properties of lidamidine hydrochloride (WHR-1142A), a novel antidiarrheal agent.

1-(2',6'-Dimethylphenyl)-3-amidinourea hydrochloride (WHR-1142A, lidamidine hydrochloride), a potent, unique antidiarrheal agent, was tested for other pharmacological properties. It inhibited gastric acid secretion in both 4-h and 22-h pylorus-ligated rats and reduced mortality and gastric ulcer severity in the latter test. WHR-1142A also exhibited local anesthetic activity in the rabbit corneal reflex and guinea pig intradermal wheal tests and reverisbly blocked conduction in isolated frog nerves. Low doses of WHR-1142A increased plasma glucose concentration in fasted mice and rats and prolonged the hyperglycemia in response to a glucose meal. WHR-1142A showed mild diuretic activity but had no anti-inflammatory or antibacterial activity. The acute oral LD50 of WHR-1142A was 260 (208,328) mg/kg in male mice, 267 (212,336) mg/kg in male rats and 160 130,197) mg/kg in female rats.

The antiphlogistic, antinociceptive and antipyretic properties of fenclorac.

Fenclorac (a,m-dichloro-p-cyclohexlphenylacetic acid, diethylammonium salt) is a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent with significant analgesic and antipyretic activity. Fenclorac had an ED50 of 7.9 mg/kg in the carrageenan paw edema assay and had a duration of action of 18-22 hours. Comparative tests in the carrageenan paw edema assay in the rat indicated that the potency of fenclorac was 13 times that of aspirin, 3.4 times phenylbutazone, 3 times ibuprofen and 0.3 times indomethacin. Fenclorac was less potent than indomethacin, but more potent than phenylbutazone or aspirin in treatment of developing or established adjuvant arthritis. The anti-inflammatory effectiveness of fenclorac did not depend upon the integrity of the adrenopituitary axis and was not affected by the route of administration or sex of the test animal. Fenclorac was 77 times more potent than aspirin and more than twice as potent as indomethacin in reducing fever in rats rendered hyperthermic with brewer's yeast. Fenclorac did not affect normal body temperatures. Fenclorac did not interfere with cellular immune mechanisms as measured by its lack of effectiveness in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Antinociceptive testing indicated that fenclorac had peripheral but not central analgesic activity. Fenclorac had an acute oral LD50 in rats and mice of 285 and 430 mg/kg, respectively. The acute gastric lesion UD50 for fenclorac was 7 mg/kg in the fasted rat. Studies using 51Cr-tagged erythrocytes indicated that fenclorac did not produce significant fecal blood loss in the rat at twice the therapeutic ED50 dose for up to 12 days after dosing. Extensive and prolonged fecal blood loss was observed with a corresponding dose of indomethacin for up to nine days after administration. Comparison of the anti-inflammatory pharmacology, Therapeutic Ratio and the data obtained from the 51Cr-fecal blood loss studies indicated that fenclorac was well tolerated after acute or subacute administration to the rat.