Effects of TAK-637, a novel neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, on colonic function in vivo.

Substance P (SP) is an important neurotransmitter that mediates various gut functions; however, its precise pathophysiological role remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of SP on colonic function and the effect of TAK-637 [(aR,9R)-7-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-8,9,10,11-tetrahydro-9-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7H-[1,4]diazocino[2,1-g][1,7]naphthyridine-6,13-dione] a new neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, on colonic responses to SP or stress in Mongolian gerbils. SP and the selective NK1 agonist [pGlu6]SP6-11 significantly increased fecal pellet output. TAK-637 reduced [pGlu6]SP6-11-induced defecation, but did not significantly affect neurokinin A-, 5-hydroxytryptamine- or carbachol-stimulated defecation. Oral TAK-637 decreased restraint stress-stimulated fecal pellet output with an ID50 value of 0.33 mg/kg. Ondansetron and atropine, but not the peripheral kappa-receptor agonist trimebutine, also reduced restraint stress-stimulated defecation. TAK-637 inhibited the increase in fecal pellet output stimulated by intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing factor, but did not affect the stress-induced increase in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. Denervation of the sensory neurons with capsaicin did not affect stress-stimulated defecation. These results suggest that NK1 receptors in the enteric plexus play an important role in stress-induced changes in colonic function, and that TAK-637 may be useful in the treatment of functional bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Microbial synthesis of three metabolites of a tachykinin receptor antagonist, TAK-637.

The compound TAK-637 ((aR,9R)-7-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-8,9,10,11-tetrahydro-9-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7H-[1,4]diazocino[2,1-g][1,7]naphthyridine-6,13-dione), a tachykinin receptor antagonist, has been shown to be converted into three metabolites in rats and guinea pigs. It was difficult to isolate the metabolites from rats and guinea pigs administered TAK-637 and elucidate the structures. A total of 100 actinomycete strains were screened for the ability to convert TAK-637 into its metabolites. Three strains, Streptomyces subrutilus IFO13388, Streptomyces tanashiensis subsp. cephalomyceticus IFO13929 and Streptomyces lavenduligriseus IFO13405, were found to convert TAK-637 into the metabolites consistent with the metabolites formed in rats and guinea pigs as determined by HPLC analyses. The metabolites were synthesized by microbial conversion using the actinomycetes. The structures of the metabolites were elucidated by spectral analyses. It was found that the methyl group at the C(5)-phenyl group of TAK-637 was hydroxylated and the resulting alcohol was converted to carboxylic acid via aldehyde. One of the metabolites (hydroxylated TAK-637) was obtained using a 200-l fermentor in a large-scale cultivation to evaluate its biological activity.

Effects of TAK-637, a tachykinin receptor antagonist, on the micturition reflex in guinea pigs.

The effects of a new tachykinin NK(1) receptor antagonist, (aR, 9R)-7-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-8,9,10, 11-tetrahydro-9-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7H-[1,4]diazocino[2,1-g] [1, 7]naphthyridine-6,13-dione (TAK-637), on the micturition reflex were compared with those of drugs used for abnormally frequent micturition or incontinence. TAK-637 showed a characteristic effect on the distension-induced rhythmic bladder contractions in guinea pigs. The systemic administration of TAK-637 decreased the number but not the amplitude of the distension-induced rhythmic bladder contractions. A similar effect was observed in animals in which the spinal cord had been severed. TAK-637 also inhibited the micturition reflex induced by topical application of capsaicin onto the surface of bladder dome. From these results, it is concluded that TAK-637 inhibits sensory transmissions from the bladder evoked by both physiological and nociceptive stimuli by blocking tachykinin NK(1) receptors, possibly at the level of the spinal cord. On the other hand, the other drugs such as oxybutynin, tolterodine, propiverine, and inaperisone showed no effects on the frequency of the distension-induced rhythmic bladder contractions but decreased the contraction amplitude. Therefore, TAK-637 may represent a new class of drugs, which would be effective for abnormally frequent micturition without causing voiding difficulties due to decreased voiding pressure.

Effects of TAK-637, a tachykinin receptor antagonist, on lower urinary tract function in the guinea pig.

The effects of TAK-637 ((aR,9R)-7-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-8, 9,10,11-tetrahydro-9-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7H-[1,4]diazocino[2 , 1-g][1,7]naphthyridine-6,13-dione), a novel tachykinin NK(1) receptor antagonist, on the micturition reflex in guinea pigs were studied in comparison with those of anti-pollakiuria agents. Cystometry was performed under urethane anesthesia. TAK-637 increased the volume threshold with a minimum effective dose of 0.03 mg/kg, i.v. without affecting voiding pressure. Oxybutynin, tolterodine, propiverine and inaperisone also increased the volume threshold in urethane-anesthetized guinea pigs, but they decreased voiding pressure, although the effect of propiverine was not statistically significant. A structurally unique tachykinin NK(1) receptor antagonist, (+/-)-CP-99,994 ((+/-)-(2S, 3S)-3-(2-methoxybenzylamino)-2-phenylpiperidine), increased the volume threshold with a minimum effective dose of 0.3 mg/kg, i.v. TAK-637 increased the volume threshold with a minimum effective dose of 0.01 mg/kg, p.o. in unanesthetized guinea pigs. These results indicate that TAK-637 may be useful as pharmacotherapy for detrusor overactivity without decreasing voiding pressure or causing voiding difficulties.

Axially chiral 1,7-naphthyridine-6-carboxamide derivatives as orally active tachykinin NK(1) receptor antagonists: synthesis, antagonistic activity, and effects on bladder functions.

Cyclic analogues of N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-7,8-dihydro-N, 7-dimethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-8-oxo-1,7-naphthyridine-6-carboxamide (1) having a 6-9-membered ring (6-9) were synthesized and evaluated for NK(1) antagonistic activities. The 8-membered ring compound with a beta-methyl group at the C((9))-position, (aR,9R)-7-[3, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-8,9,10, 11-tetrahydro-9-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7H-[1,4]diazocino[2,1-g] [1, 7]naphthyridine-6,13-dione [(aR,9R)-8b], was atropodiastereoselectively synthesized by cyclization of a chiral intermediate, 10g. On the other hand, the 7-membered ring compound with a beta-methyl group at the C((9))-position [(9S)-7b] was obtained as an equilibrium mixture of atropisomers with a ratio of ca. 3:2 in solution at room temperature (measured by NMR in CDCl(3)). Compounds (9S)-7b and (aR,9R)-8b exhibited excellent antagonistic activities both in vitro [IC(50) (inhibition of [(125)I]BH-SP binding in human IM-9 cells) = 0.28 and 0.45 nM, respectively] and in vivo (iv and po). Significantly, the in vitro activity of (aR, 9R)-8b was ca. 750-fold higher than that of its enantiomer (aS, 9S)-8b, ca. 40-fold higher than its atropisomer (aS,9R)-8b, and ca. 20-fold higher than its diastereomer (aR,9S)-8b. The structure-activity relationships in this series, along with the X-ray analysis of (aR,9R)-8b, indicated that the stereochemistry around the -C((6))(=O)-N((7))-CH(2)Ar moiety is important for NK(1) receptor recognition. The NK(1) antagonists showed effects on bladder functions in guinea pigs upon intravenous injection: i.e., the antagonists increased the shutdown time of distension-induced rhythmic bladder contractions and the bladder volume threshold, and the effects on the shutdown time were found to correlate well with the NK(1) antagonistic activities. Compound (aR,9R)-8b has been identified as a potential clinical candidate for the treatment of bladder function disorders.

Axially chiral N-benzyl-N,7-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1, 7-naphthyridine-6-carboxamide derivatives as tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists: determination of the absolute stereochemical requirements.

A potent and orally active NK1 antagonist, trans-N-[3, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-7,8-dihydro-N, 7-dimethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-8-oxo-1,7-naphthyridine-6-carboxamide (1t), was shown to exist as a mixture of separable and stable (R)- and (S)-atropisomers (1t-A and 1t-B) originating from the restricted rotation around the -C(6)-C(=O)- bond; the antagonistic activities of 1t-A were ca. 6-13-fold higher than those of 1t-B. Analogues of 1t (3), which have (S)- and (R)-methyl groups at the benzylic methylene portion of 1t, were prepared and separated into the diastereomeric atropisomers, 3a-A, 3a-B and 3b-A, 3b-B, in enantiomerically pure forms. Among the four isomers of 3, the (aR, S)-enantiomer (3a-A) exhibited the most potent antagonistic activities with an IC50 value of 0.80 nM (in vitro inhibition of [125I]BH-SP binding in human IM-9 cells) and ED50 values of 9.3 micrograms/kg (iv) and 67.7 micrograms/kg (po) (in vivo inhibition of capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation in guinea pig trachea), while the activity of the (aS,R)-enantiomer (3b-B) was the weakest with an IC50 value of 620 nM. The structure-activity relationships in this series of antagonists indicate that the (R)-configuration at the axial bond and the stacking (or stacking-like) conformation between the two phenyl rings as shown in 1t-A and 3a-A are essential for high-affinity binding and suggest that the amide moiety functions as a hydrogen bond acceptor in the interaction with the receptor.

Potent NK1 receptor antagonists: synthesis and antagonistic activity of various heterocycles with an N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-N-methylcarbamoyl substituent.

Various N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-N-methylcarbamoyl heterocycles (1, 2 and 3) modified at rings A and B in the isoquinolone (1a) and pyrido[3,4-b]pyridine (2a) nuclei were prepared and evaluated for NK1 receptor antagonistic activities. The structure-activity relationship studies on this series, along with conformational analysis, showed that (i) for ring A, 6-membered heterocycles are preferable to 5-membered heterocycles (a ca. 300-fold difference in potency), (ii) the 6-membered ring seems to function as an anchor by fixing the pendant phenyl group in a desirable orientation for receptor binding, and (iii) since compounds with aromatic rings (2) and those with aliphatic rings (3) as ring B both show good potency, this ring does not seem to be essential for receptor recognition. Among the compounds synthesized, the tetrahydropyridine derivatives 3a, 3b and 3f exhibited excellent inhibitory effects both in vitro and in vivo, with potent activity upon oral administration (ED50 = 0.20-0.27 mg/kg) (capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation in guinea pig trachea).

Novel, potent, and orally active substance P antagonists: synthesis and antagonist activity of N-benzylcarboxamide derivatives of pyrido[3,4-b]pyridine.

A series of 4-phenylisoquinolone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for NK1 (substance P) antagonist activity. Highly potent antagonists, 4-phenyl-3-isoquinolone-N-benzylcarboxamides (11), were discovered from the structure-activity relationship studies on the isoquinolone-urea lead 1a. Optimization of the activity in this series resulted in the development of 5-phenyl-6-pyrido[3,4-b]pyridine-N-benzylcarboxamides (30) which are highly potent orally active NK1 antagonists. Among the compounds synthesized, N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-7,8-dihydro-N,7-dimethyl-8-oxo-5- (substituted phenyl)-6-pyrido[3,4-b]pyridinecarboxamides (30a,f,g) showed excellent antagonist activities with IC50 values (in vitro inhibition of [125I]-BH-SP binding in human IM-9 cells) of 0.21-0.34 nM and ED50 values (in vivo inhibition of capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation in guinea-pig trachea, iv) of 0.017-0.030 mg/kg. These compounds exhibited significantly potent activity upon oral administration with ED50 values of 0.068-0.17 mg/kg. Conformational studies on 30g indicated that the two stable conformers of 30g are quite similar to those of CP-99,994.

Synthesis of 3-ureido derivatives of coumarin and 2-quinolone as potent acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitors.

Novel 3-ureido derivatives of 4-phenylcoumarin and 4-phenyl-2-quinolone were synthesized and evaluated for acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)-inhibitory activity. These derivatives inhibited rat intestinal ACAT with IC50 values at the 10(-8) to 10(-9) M level and were found to normalize plasma cholesterol levels in cholesterol-fed rats when administered as dietary admixtures.

Chemistry and anti-tumor activity of sperabillin polymers.

Sperabillin A, 3-[[(3R,5R)-3-amino-6-[(2E,4Z)-2,4-hexadienoylamino]- 5-hydroxyhexanoyl]amino]propanamidine dihydrochloride, was polymerized on standing for several days under a highly humid atmosphere or in the presence of radical initiators. The average molecular weight of the polymers obtained could be regulated by changing the reaction conditions in the latter case. Spectral analyses of the polymers revealed that the 2,4-hexadienoyl moiety of sperabillins was polymerized in a free radical-initiated reaction. The polymers selectively inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells. Polymers having higher molecular weight showed stronger inhibition of HUVE cell proliferation. In addition, the polymers showed anti-tumor activity against B16 melanoma in vivo.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of sperabillin derivatives.

Modification of sperabillins was carried out. The 2-amidinoethylamino moiety was removed by brief acidic hydrolysis. The 2,4-hexadienoyl moiety was hydrogenated to the hexanoyl moiety and this was cleaved by an enzymatic reaction using the cells of Pseudomonas acidovorans IFO 13582. The 2-amidinoethylamino and the 2,4-hexadienoyl moieties were replaced with other groups. The derivative which was prepared by condensation of two molar amounts of dehexadienoylsperabillin A with (E,E)-muconic acid showed better protective effects than sperabillin A against Gram-negative bacteria.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of carbapenems related to C-19393 H2.

By applying the synthetic process reported in our previous paper, we synthesized new carbapenems having various (substituted) thio and alkoxy groups at the C(3) position and 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl and analogous groups at the C(6) position with cis- and trans-stereochemistry; the in vitro antibacterial and beta-lactamase inhibitory activities of these new carbapenems were examined. Compared to C-19393 H2, some of these compounds (e.g., 11A-a-3 approximately 5) showed improved in vitro antibacterial activity especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa; they showed a strong beta-lactamase inhibitory activity as well. Two noteworthy effects of substituent variation at the C(6) position on the activities were observed: 1) the trans-configuration caused a definite loss; and 2) introduction of 1-hydroxycyclobutyl and 1-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl groups in place of the 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl group caused a diminution. The carbapenem (13A-a-2) with an alkoxy group at the C(3) position had a marked decrease in activity compared to the corresponding thio-substituted carbapenem (11A-a-12).

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)acetamido]cephalosporin derivatives. V. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-cephalosporin derivates and related compounds.

In order to improve the antibacterial activity of 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)acetamido]-cephalosporins new derivatives having a methoxyimino moiety in the 7-acyl side chain and related compounds were synthesized. Of these, 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-(Z)-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-cephalosporins were found to possess excellent activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including beta-lactamase-producing strains. An extensive study of structure-activity relationships led to the selection of 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-(Z)-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl) thiomethyl]-ceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acid, SCE-1365, for further biological and clinical evaluation.