Comparison of the activity and disposition of the novel cholesterol absorption inhibitor, SCH58235, and its glucuronide, SCH60663.

Previous studies described the metabolism-based discovery of a potent, selective inhibitor of intestinal absorption of cholesterol, SCH58235 (Ezetimibe). Here we demonstrate that the phenolic glucuronide (SCH60663) of SCH58235, was more potent at inhibiting cholesterol absorption in rats than SCH58235, when administered by the intraduodenal route. To understand the increased potency of the glucuronide, the metabolism and distribution of SCH58235 and SCH60663 were studied in bile duct-cannulated rats. One minute after intraduodenal delivery of SCH58235, significant levels of compound were detected in portal plasma; >95% was glucuronidated, indicating that the intestine was metabolizing SCH58235 to its glucuronide. When intraduodenally delivered as SCH58235, the compound was glucuronidated, moved through the intestinal wall, into portal plasma, through the liver, and into bile. However, when delivered as SCH60663, >95% of the compound remained in the intestinal lumen and wall, which may explain its increased potency. Significant inhibition of cholesterol absorption and glucuronidation of SCH58235 occurred when SCH58235 was intravenously injected into bile duct-cannulated rats. Autoradiographic analysis demonstrated that drug related material was located throughout the intestinal villi, but concentrated in the villus tip. These data indicate that (a) SCH58235 is rapidly metabolized in the intestine to its glucuronide; (b) once glucuronidated, the dose is excreted in the bile, thereby delivering drug related material back to the site of action and (c) the glucuronide is more potent than the parent possibly because it localizes to the intestine. Taken together, these data may explain the potency of SCH58235 in the rat (ID(50) = 0.0015 mg kg(-1)) and rhesus monkey (ID(50) = 0.0005 mg kg(-1)).

Disparate effects of thrombin receptor activating peptide on platelets and peripheral vasculature in rats.

The hemodynamic and platelet effects of the thrombin receptor activating peptide SFLLRN (TRAP) were evaluated in rats. TRAP failed to aggregate rat platelets in vitro (platelet rich plasma) or in vivo in the pulmonary microcirculation. In contrast, TRAP aggregated washed human platelets. Intravenous injection of TRAP (1 mg/kg) in inactin-anesthetized rats produced a biphasic response in blood pressure characterized by an initial depressor response (-25 +/- 3 mmHg for 15-30 s) followed by a pronounced pressor response (50 +/- 7 mmHg for 2-3 min). This increase in blood pressure can be attributed to increases in total peripheral resistance since cardiac output remained unchanged. Further, only the pressor responses were observed in pithed rats suggesting a direct effect of TRAP in causing smooth muscle contraction. Consequently, rat platelets differ from human platelets in that they are resistant to TRAP whereas rat vasculature is highly sensitive to TRAP. These observations suggest that while the thrombin receptors on rat vasculature may be similar to those on human platelets, the receptors and/or the coupling mechanisms in rat platelets appear different from human platelets.

Effect of chronic central administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide on food consumption and body weight in normal and obese rats.

Glucagon-like peptide (7-36) amide (GLP-1) acutely inhibits food and water consumption in rats after intracerebroventricular (icv) administration. To assess the potential for desensitization of these effects, we investigated the effects of chronic icv administration of GLP-1 on food consumption and body weight in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and Zucker (fa/fa) obese rats. In vitro functional densensitization of the GLP-1 receptor was not observed after overnight exposure of Rin m5F insulinoma cells to GLP-1 at concentrations up to 10 nM. Administration of GLP-1 to SD rats (30 microg icv twice a day for 6 days) resulted in significant reductions in 24-hour food consumption each day (25 +/- 1%). Continuous icv infusion of GLP-1 for 7 and 14 days significantly inhibited cumulative food consumption and reduced body weight in SD rats. In the genetically obese Zucker rat, chronic dosing with GLP-1 (30 microg icv) once a day for 6 days caused significant reductions in food consumption each day and a reduction in body weight. These results indicate that the GLP-1 pathways in the central nervous system controlling food consumption do not desensitize after chronic exposure to GLP-1 and suggest that agonists of the central GLP-1 receptor may be effective agents for the treatment of obesity.

In vivo metabolism-based discovery of a potent cholesterol absorption inhibitor, SCH58235, in the rat and rhesus monkey through the identification of the active metabolites of SCH48461.

SCH48461 is a selective and highly potent inhibitor of cholesterol absorption. In rats, SCH48461 is rapidly and completely metabolized in the first pass through the body. To compare the activity of the metabolites of SCH48461 with SCH48461 itself, an intestinally cannulated, bile duct-cannulated rat model for cholesterol absorption was developed. SCH48461 inhibited the absorption of cholesterol by 70%, whereas bile containing the metabolites of SCH48461 (henceforth, "metabolite bile") inhibited the absorption by greater than 95%. Very little of the recovered radioactive dose of SCH48461 was located in the intestinal lumen (7%) or wall (4%), whereas 85% appeared in bile. However, in rats treated with metabolite bile, 62% of the dose remained in the lumen, 13% was associated with the wall and only 24% reappeared in bile, which suggests that the activity of the metabolite bile may be related to its higher retention in the intestinal wall. Rats treated with metabolite bile had 64% and 84% less drug-related radioactivity in their plasma and livers, respectively, compared with animals treated with SCH48461, which indicates that the metabolites are systemically less available than SCH48461. The metabolites in bile were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography; the most active fraction in the bile duct-cannulated rat model was identified by mass spectrometry as the glucuronide of the C4-phenol of SCH48461. The other fractions had moderate or no activity. Through the identification of the most active biliary metabolites of SCH48461 in the rat, we have discovered SCH58235, a novel cholesterol absorption inhibitor which is 400 times more potent than SCH48461 in the cholesterol-fed rhesus monkey.

Inhibition of platelet adhesion and aggregation by E4021, a type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in guinea pigs.

E4021 (sodium 1-[6-chloro-4-(3, 4-methylenedioxybenzyl)-aminoquinazolin-2-yl]piperidine-4-ca rboxylate sesquihydrate) is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of type V phosphodiesterase(PDE5). The in vitro and in vivo effect of E4021 on platelet function was evaluated, using echistatin, a potent disintegrin, as a positive reference agent. E4021 inhibits aggregatory response to collagen in washed human platelets (IC50 = 5 microM, vs. 0.14 microM with echistatin). In the ex vivo-platelet aggregation assay using whole blood from treated guinea pigs, E4021 (9 mg/kg i.v.) showed a moderate inhibition (43%) against collagen (0.125 microg/ml), whereas echistatin (250 microg/kg i.v.) exerted a 88% inhibition. The absence of endothelium-derived factors (NO) may account for the moderate in vitro and ex vivo antiplatelet activity of E4021. In an in vivo model of reversible platelet aggregation elicited by collagen (100 microg/kg i.v.), both E4021 and echistatin attenuated the intrapulmonary platelet accumulation in guinea pigs (-36% and -44%, respectively). In addition, E4021 (9 mg/kg i.v.) and echistatin (250 microg/kg i.v.) caused a similar inhibition of platelet adhesion at sites of microfilament-induced vascular injury in guinea pigs (52% and 65%, respectively). The two agents in combination did not show additive effect, suggesting that E4021 inhibits platelet activation and impairs interactions of adhesion receptors with matrix proteins. E4021 caused a selective increase in cGMP concentrations in the platelets isolated from treated guinea pigs: cAMP was not affected. It is concluded that the antiplatelet activity of E4021 is mediated through cGMP mechanism by virtue of selective inhibition of PDE5 in the platelets.

Diet-induced obese mice develop peripheral, but not central, resistance to leptin.

Leptin administration reduces obesity in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice; its effects in obese humans, who have high circulating leptin levels, remain to be determined. This longitudinal study was designed to determine whether diet-induced obesity in mice produces resistance to peripheral and/or central leptin treatment. Obesity was induced in two strains of mice by exposure to a 45% fat diet. Serum leptin increased in proportion to body weight (P < 0.00001). Whereas C57BL/6 mice initially responded to peripherally administered leptin with a marked decrease in food intake, leptin resistance developed after 16 d on high fat diet; mice on 10% fat diet retained leptin sensitivity. In AKR mice, peripheral leptin significantly decreased food intake in both 10 and 45% fat-fed mice after 16 d of dietary treatment. However, after 56 d, both groups became resistant to peripherally administered leptin. Central administration of leptin to peripherally leptin-resistant AKR mice on 45% fat diet resulted in a robust response to leptin, with a dose-dependent decrease in food intake (P < 0.00001) and body weight (P < 0.0001) after a single intracerebroventricular infusion. These data demonstrate that, in a diet-induced obesity model, mice exhibit resistance to peripherally administered leptin, while retaining sensitivity to centrally administered leptin.

Characterization of in vitro and in vivo platelet responses to thrombin and thrombin receptor-activating peptides in guinea pigs.

Guinea pig platelets are similar to human platelets in their responsiveness to thrombin receptor-activating peptides and other agonists. Therefore, guinea pigs anesthetized with Inactin (90 mg/kg i.p.) were used to assess in vivo activities of thrombin and thrombin receptor-activating peptides (TRAPs) using 111 In-labeled platelets and a microcomputer-based system. The aggregatory responses are expressed as percent change for a 20 min period over basal radioactivity (AUC). Reversible accumulation of platelets occurred in the pulmonary microcirculation in response to stimuli. Human thrombin (50 and 100 U/kg i.v.) caused a dose-related platelet accumulation. Responses of similar magnitude were induced by SFLLRN (TRAP-(1-6)) and Ala-Phe(p-F)-Arg-Cha-HArg-Tyr-NH2 (high-affinity thrombin receptor-activating peptide, 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg i.v.). High-affinity thrombin receptor-activating peptide, a new synthetic oligopeptide agonist, is about 3-fold more potent than TRAP-(1-6), a wild-type sequence. Similarly, high-affinity thrombin receptor-activating peptide is about 4 times more potent than TRAP-(1-6) in the radioligand binding study using platelet membrane. By comparison, high-affinity thrombin receptor-activating peptide manifested an aggregatory activity (EC60 = 1.2 microM) about 15 times more potent than that of TRAP-(1-6)(EC60 = 18.6 microM) in washed guinea pig platelets. The intrapulmonary platelet aggregation in response to thrombin, TRAP-(1-6) and high-affinity thrombin receptor-activating peptide was characterized by long duration (approximately 30 min); a reduction in response (18-54%) tended to occur with repeated challenges, presumably due to desensitization and consumption. The response to thrombin (100 U/kg) was greatly inhibited by (D)-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (PPACK), a potent thrombin inhibitor (250 micrograms/kg + 6 micrograms/kg per min i.v. x 30): AUC, 150 +/- 552 vs. 7171 +/- 1052 in the control period (n = 8, P < 0.05). The response to high-affinity thrombin receptor-activating peptide (0.03 mg/kg), which acts on thrombin receptor directly, was not affected by PPACK. It is concluded that guinea pigs are an appropriate preparation for evaluation of in vivo activity of thrombin inhibitors as well as thrombin receptor agonists and antagonists.

Antiplatelet and antiproliferative effects of SCH 51866, a novel type 1 and type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor.

SCH 51866 is a potent and selective PDE1 and PDE5 inhibitor. The antiplatelet, antiproliferative, and hemodynamic effects of SCH 51866 were compared with those of E4021, a highly selective PDE5 inhibitor. SCH 51866 inhibited PDE1 and PDE5 isozymes with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 70 and 60 nM, respectively. SCH 51866 and E4021 inhibited washed human platelet aggregation induced by collagen with an IC50 of 10 and 4 microM, respectively, and attenuated (p < 0.05) the adhesion of 111indium-labeled platelets to the nylon filament-injured rat aorta. The doses of SCH 51866 and E4021 that inhibited platelet adhesion caused significant increases in platelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP; p < 0.05). SCH 51866 (1-10 mg/kg, p.o. twice daily) but not E4021 (3-30 mg/kg, p.o twice daily) inhibited neointima formation in the carotid arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) subjected to balloon angioplasty. Moreover, SCH 51866 (0.3-10 mg/kg, p.o.) elicited dose-dependent reduction in blood pressure in SHRs, whereas E4021 (3-30 mg/kg, p.o.) did not affect blood pressure in SHRs. In conclusion, the data suggest that inhibition of PDE1 and PDE5 isozymes by SCH 51866 exerts antiplatelet and vascular protective effects. In comparison, inhibition of PDE5 alone by E4021 exhibited antiplatelet effects without affecting neointima formation.

The relationship of tissue localization, distribution and turnover to feeding after intraperitoneal 125I-leptin administration to ob/ob and db/db mice.

Brain and whole body localization and distribution of 125I-leptin was determined after intraperitoneal administration to ob/ob and db/db mice, and was compared to inhibition of food intake. Food intake was not significantly inhibited at3 hours post-injection, but was decreased significantly at 6 h (p < 0.0007) and 24 h (p < 0.02) in ob/ob mice, times at which > 97 % of the radioactive dose was found in the urine. The highest concentrations of 125I-leptin at all time-points were found in the serum, liver and kidneys. These findings were verified by whole body autoradiography. Virtually no 125I-leptin was found in the CNS at later timepoints in either ob/ob or db/db mice. Coronal sectioning of entire brains from ob/ob and db/db mice revealed 125I radioactivity localized to the choroid plexus and in the ventricular space, but not in other CNS regions. No differences in localization, accumulation, or clearance of 125I-leptin in ob/ob vs. db/db mice were found in any of the tissues studied. The present studies demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of leptin on food intake in the ob/ob mouse persists for up to 24 hours after a single dose, despite the complete degradation and elimination of the labeled leptin during the first several hours after injection.

Endopeptidase inhibition in angiotensin-induced hypertension. Effect of SCH 39370 in sheep.

To assess the efficacy of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 inhibition in the setting of elevated plasma levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), we studied the hemodynamic, renal, and hormonal effects of bolus injections of the potent and specific neutral endopeptidase inhibitor SCH 39370 or vehicle (control) in 10 sheep with Ang II-induced hypertension. Ang II infusion (5 ng/kg per minute for 6 days) sufficient to increase plasma Ang II levels 50% to 100% induced a consistent rise in mean arterial pressure (mean increment, 15 mm Hg; P < .0001) and increased plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (P = .017) and its second messenger cGMP (P = .049). Compared with time-matched control observations after vehicle alone, SCH 39370 (2.5 mg/kg) further increased plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (P = .0006), cGMP (P = .006), and plasma Ang II (P = .054). Systolic and mean arterial pressures tended to fall after SCH 39370, but these changes were not significant compared with control. No significant changes were observed in urinary volume and sodium excretion. Viewed in relation to previous studies in normotensive sheep, the current findings indicate that the vasodepressor response to neutral endopeptidase inhibition is blunted in hyperangiotensinemic sheep, in which neutral endopeptidase inhibition further augments plasma Ang II levels.

Mercaptoacyl amino acid inhibitors of atriopeptidase. 1. Structure-activity relationship studies of methionine and S-alkylcysteine derivatives.

A broad series of N-(3-mercaptoacyl) amino acid derivatives was evaluated for their ability to inhibit atriopeptidase (neutral endopeptidase, EC 3.4.24.11) in vitro and in vivo. Structural parameters studied were (i) the substituent on the 2-position of the 3-mercaptopropionyl moiety, (ii) the amino acid component, (iii) the S-terminal derivative, and (iv) the C-terminal derivative. Optimum activity was observed for derivatives of methionine and S-alkylcysteines. N-[3-Mercapto-2(S)-[(2-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-oxopropyl]-L-methionine was identified as a highly effective inhibitor of atriopeptidase meriting evaluation as a potential cardiovascular therapeutic agent.

Phosphoramidon does not inhibit endogenous endothelin-1 release stimulated by hemorrhage, cytokines and hypoxia in rats.

The role of phosphoramidon-sensitive endothelin converting enzyme in the release of endogenous endothelin-1 was investigated in anesthetized rats. Intravenous infusion of phosphoramidon 0.3 mg/kg/min did not suppress the release of endothelin-1 stimulated by hemorrhage or cytokines. Elevation of endothelin-1 in rats subjected to hypoxia was not modified by phosphoramidon (0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg/min for 2 h). A high dose of phosphoramidon (10 mg/kg i.v. +0.1 mg/kg/min) significantly potentiated the hypoxia-induced increases in plasma endothelin-1 levels. Increases in endothelin-1 release caused by bilateral nephrectomy were further enhanced by hypoxia. It is concluded that the release of endogenous endothelin-1 release stimulated by hemorrhage, cytokines and hypoxia is resistant to inhibition by phosphoramidon, and at high doses, phosphoramidon potentiates hemorrhage- and hypoxia-induced increases in endothelin-1 levels, most likely by preventing its degradation.

Inhibition of endothelial derived relaxing factor (EDRF) aggravates ischemic acute renal failure in anesthetized rats.

The relative importance of endothelial derived relaxing factor (EDRF)/nitric oxide (NO) in maintaining kidney function in normal condition and in acute renal failure (ARF) were evaluated in inactin anesthetized rats. ARF was induced by unilateral occlusion of the left renal artery (40 min) followed by reperfusion, with the contralateral kidney serving as normal control. This protocol resulted in marked reductions in renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and increases in fractional sodium excretion (FENa) and urinary protein excretion in the post-ischemic kidney in comparison to the contralateral normal kidney. Administration of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG--monomethyl-L-arginine (0.25 mg/kg per min, L-NMMA) exacerbated the ischemia-induced changes in renal functions as reflected by further reductions in urine flow (V), GFR, marked sodium wasting and renal edema. Pretreatment of the animals with NO precursor L-arginine (2.5 mg/kg per min, L-Arg) abolished the detrimental effects of L-NMMA in ARF. In contrast, D-Arginine (2.5 mg/kg per min, D-Arg) failed to reverse the detrimental effects of L-NMMA. Infusion of L-Arg alone also resulted in improvements in RPF and GFR in the ischemic kidney. The results of the present study suggest that the function of the ischemic kidney is sustained by EDRF/NO and is thus more sensitive to NO synthase inhibition.

Atrial natriuretic factor potentiating and hemodynamic effects of SCH 42495, a new, neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibitor.

Neutral metalloendopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors delay atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) catabolism and potentiate biological responses to ANF. We describe biochemical and pharmacological profiles of a novel NEP inhibitor, SCH 42354 (N-[2(S)-(mercaptomethyl)-3-(2-methylphenyl)-4-oxopropyl]-L-methionine and its orally active ethylester prodrug, SCH 42495. SCH 42354 selectively inhibited hydrolysis of leu-enkephalin and ANF (IC50 of 8.3 and 10.0 nmol/L, respectively) in vitro. Plasma levels of exogenous ANF were augmented and ANF clearance from plasma was delayed by oral SCH 42495 (3 to 30 mg/kg) in normotensive rats. Plasma ANF levels in volume expanded rats were higher in SCH 42495-treated rats. Diuretic and natriuretic effects of ANF were increased in rats treated with SCH 42495. Oral doses of 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg of SCH 42495 produced significant reductions in blood pressure in DOCA-Na hypertensive rats of 22 +/- 6, 43 +/- 7, and 62 +/- 12 mm Hg, respectively, which were not associated with increases in heart rate. These doses did not alter urine flow, salt excretion, or plasma ANF. SCH 42495 produced significant elevation of urinary excretion of ANF and cGMP. In Dahl-S hypertensive rats, SCH 42495 (1 to 10 mg/kg orally) produced falls in blood pressure of a magnitude similar to that observed in DOCA-Na hypertensive rats. Significant hypotensive activity was observed 18 h after a single 10 mg/kg oral dose in Dahl-S hypertensive rats. In DOCA-Na hypertensive rats, a single dose of SCH 42495 significantly decreased cardiac output and did not lower systemic vascular resistance, a profile similar to that of ANF. The hypotensive response to SCH 42495 was not ascribable to ACE inhibition. Pithed rat preparations revealed no interaction of the drug with autonomic cardiovascular function. The antihypertensive effect of SCH 42495 likely results from potentiation of endogenous ANF via NEP inhibition.

Localization and characterization of neutral metalloendopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11), the degradative enzyme for atrial natriuretic peptide, in rat kidney using a radioiodinated neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibitor.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is rapidly degraded by neutral metalloendopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11, NEP), with the kidney being a major site of ANP clearance. NEP has been anatomically localized in the rat kidney by in vitro autoradiography and the active site studied by a radioinhibitor binding assay (RIBA) using a newly developed radioinhibitor as a radioligand. SCH47896 is a phenolic derivative of SCH39370, a potent specific inhibitor of NEP, which can be radioiodinated with 125I. NEP catalytic activity in the rat kidney was inhibited by SCH47896 and its di-iodo analog SCH48446. Specific binding of [125I]SCH47896 to renal plasma membranes fitted a single-site model with Kd = 43.3 nM and maximal binding site density = 13.8 pmol/mg protein. Thus, [125I]SCH47896 retains full enzymatic inhibitory activity and full binding to the active site of the NEP. Autoradiographs using [125I]SCH47896 demonstrated maximal binding to deep proximal renal tubules. This binding was displaced in a dose-dependent manner by NEP inhibitors. Renal NEP was inhibited by SCH39370. Inhibition of ANP degradation by NEP in the kidney by the new NEP or atriopeptidase inhibitors may explain their natriuretic and diuretic effect in the absence of changes in plasma ANP levels. These studies will allow investigation of the regulation of NEP and the role inhibition of tissue NEP plays in the actions of the new atriopeptidase inhibitors. Furthermore, this method of radioinhibitor binding is applicable to any enzyme, provided a suitable radioligand can be constructed.

Sympathoadrenal stimulation, not endothelin, plays a role in acute pressor response to cyclosporine in anesthetized rats.

The possible role of sympathoadrenal stimulation and endothelin release in cyclosporine (CS)-induced hypertension was ascertained in intact and pithed rats. CS (20 and 40 mg/kg), administered by i.v. infusion over 10 min, produced a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure: 19 +/- 5 and 31 +/- 2 mm Hg in intact rats and 13 +/- 4 and 18 +/- 2 mm Hg in pithed rats. In intact rats, pretreatment with reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) or hexamethonium (10 mg/kg, i.v.) greatly blunted the pressor responses to CS (40 mg/kg) (7 +/- 3 and 11 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively). In pithed rats, the blood pressure responses to CS (40 mg/kg) were significantly impaired, but were not further modified by phenoxybenzamine (3 mg/kg, i.v.), whereas adrenalectomy completely abolished the CS-induced pressor responses (0 +/- 1 mm Hg). CS (40 mg/kg) did not potentiate pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation (0.1 and 0.3 Hz) or vasoconstrictors, including angiotensin II (0.03 microgram/kg, i.v.), phenylephrine (1 microgram/kg, i.v.) and arginine vasopressin (0.075 microgram/kg) in pithed rats. In addition, CS (40 mg/kg, i.v.) did not cause elevation of plasma immunoreactive endothelin-1 and -3. Furthermore, phosphoramidon (0.25 mg/kg/min x 30) abolished pressor response to big endothelin-1 (5 micrograms/kg, i.v.) but failed to affect CS-induced hypertension. It is concluded that the acute blood pressure response to CS manifests great dependence on sympathetic nervous system but appears independent of endothelin release.

Modulation of circulating endothelin levels in hypertension and endotoxemia in rats.

We have developed separate radioimmunoassays to measure circulating ET-1 and ET-3 levels in normotensive and different hypertensive rat models so that the role of endothelin in the regulation of vasomotor function can be studied. We also assessed the stimulatory effects of endotoxin on plasma and liver lymph ET-1 and ET-3 levels. The circulating ET-1 levels in normotensive rats, SHRs, and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats were 2.3 +/- 0.5, 2.1 +/- 0.4, and 2.1 +/- 0.9 pg/ml, respectively. Similarly, the plasma ET-3 levels in normotensive and different hypertensive rats were similar, ranging from 19.7 +/- 1.5 to 24.7 +/- 2.2 pg/ml. The data indicate that steady-state circulating levels of endothelins are a poor correlate of the hypertensive state. Endotoxin (30 mg/kg i.v. over 15 min) reduced blood pressure significantly and augmented plasma ET-1 levels by sevenfold (29.1 +/- 3.7 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.6 pg/ml in the vehicle group; p less than 0.05) and ET-3 levels by twofold (47.7 +/- 7.0 vs. 22.7 +/- 4.0 pg/ml in the vehicle group; p less than 0.05). Human TNF-alpha (30 ng/kg/min x 30 min), a putative mediator of endotoxin shock, enhanced plasma ET-1 (18.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.4 pg/ml in the vehicle group; p less than 0.05) by sevenfold and ET-3 levels by twofold (45.7 +/- 2.0 vs. 27.1 +/- 4.0 pg/ml in the vehicle group; p less than 0.05) without affecting blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibitors as ANF potentiators: sites and mechanisms of action.

Inhibition of the enzyme neutral metalloendopeptidase potentiates responses to atrial natriuretic factor and elicits reductions of blood pressure in desoxycorticosterone acetate sodium hypertensive rats. The present study evaluated the role of atrial natriuretic factor and bradykinin in the antihypertensive response to neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibition through the use of antibodies and antagonists, respectively. In addition, the pharmacokinetic mechanism by which neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibition interferes with atrial natriuretic factor metabolism was explored. The antihypertensive response to the neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibitor SCH 34826 was abruptly reversed by i.v. injection of a polyclonal antiserum to atrial natriuretic factor. In contrast, the antihypertensive response to SCH 34826 was unaffected by injection of the bradykinin antagonist Thi5,8-D-Phe7 bradykinin. The renal response to atrial natriuretic factor, SCH 34826, and phosphoramidon was inhibited by the bradykinin antagonist. The NEP inhibitor SCH 39370 significantly delayed the disappearance of TCA precipitable radioactivity from plasma following i.v. bolus dosing with 125I-labelled ANF 99-126. The effects were enhanced in the presence of the C receptor ligand. The results indicate that atrial natriuretic factor, but not bradykinin, plays an important role in the antihypertensive response to SCH 34826. Bradykinin plays a permissive role in the diuretic responses to atrial natriuretic factor and inhibitors of neutral metalloendopeptidase. Lastly, neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibition significantly alters the clearance and metabolism of tracer quantities of atrial natriuretic factor.

SCH 34826: an overview of its profile as a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor and ANF potentiator.

Our studies with the prototypical NEP inhibitor SCH 34826 indicate the potential role of this class of compounds in cardiovascular modulation. The data assembled to date indicate that NEP inhibition elicits significant ANF-like effects in animals and man. The early data generated to date on SCH 34826, when considered with those data generated on other NEP inhibitors, indicate that NEP inhibition may have therapeutic utility in some forms of hypertension and congestive heart failure.