A second generation of non-peptide cholecystokinin receptor antagonists and their possible therapeutic potential.

The profile of an acidic series of benzodiazepine CCK-B receptor antagonists is described. The tetrazolyl urea derivative L-368,935 had high affinity (CCK-B IC50 0.1 nM) and was one of the most selective (CCK-B/CCK-A 10,000) CCK-B antagonists known. L-368,935 was a CCK-B antagonist with high affinity on the rat ventromedial hypothalamic slice preparation (Kb 0.6 nM) and also blocked pentagastrin-induced calcium mobilization in GH3 cells. L-368,935 had potent in vivo activity and antagonized pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion in the anesthetized rat and CCK-8S-induced aspartate release using microdialysis in the striatum of conscious rats. Activity within the central nervous system was confirmed by a mouse ex vivo binding assay and by direct measurement of the compound within the central nervous system using an HPLC assay. A second generation of CCK-B receptor antagonists such as L-368,935 will be important in determining the therapeutic potential of this class of compound in man.

Development of 1,4-benzodiazepine cholecystokinin type B antagonists.

A series of 3-(arylureido)-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepines, nonpeptidal antagonists of the peptide hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), are described. Derived by reasoned modification of the CCK-A selective 3-carboxamido-1,4-benzodiazepine, MK-329, this paper chronicles the development of potent, orally effective compounds in which selectivity for the CCK-B receptor subtype was achieved. The principal lead structure that emerged from these studied is L-365,260, a compound which has been submitted for clinical evaluation. Details of the ability to modulate the receptor interactions of these benzodiazepines by appropriate structure modifications are discussed which imply the possibility of further refining the CCK-B receptor affinity and selectivity of this class of compounds.