Therapeutic options in inflammatory bowel disease: experimental evidence of a beneficial effect of kinin B1 receptor blockade.

A surprising proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain refractory to all classes of drugs presently in clinical use. Kinins are inflammatory mediators of potential relevance in IBD, because at least the kinin B1 receptor subtype is upregulated in human or animal intestinal inflammation and also both B1 and B2 receptors for kinins support inflammation and epithelial electrogenic ion transport that leads to secretory diarrhoea. In this issue of the BJP, Hara et al. report the therapeutic effect of a modern and selective nonpeptide kinin B1 receptor antagonist, SSR240612 ((2R)-2-(((3R)-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(((6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)sulphonyl)amino)propanoyl)amino)-3-(4-((2R,6S)-2,6-dimethylpiperidinyl)methyl)phenyl)-N-isopropyl-N-methylpropanamide hydrochloride), with benefits such as decreased neutrophil influx and improved macroscopic tissue scoring. The results were corroborated using kinin B1 receptor gene-knockout mice. Further, kinin B1 receptor upregulation in this inflammatory model is partially dependent on TNF-alpha, a recognized target for IBD pharmacotherapy. More work is warranted to evaluate the value of the kinin B1 receptor antagonists as a novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic option for IBD.

Neuropeptide S is a stimulatory anxiolytic agent: a behavioural study in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuropeptide S (NPS) was recently identified as the endogenous ligand of an orphan receptor, now referred to as the NPS receptor. In vivo, NPS produces a unique behavioural profile by increasing wakefulness and exerting anxiolytic-like effects. In the present study, we further evaluated the effects of in vivo supraspinal NPS in mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Effects of NPS, injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), on locomotor activity (LA), righting reflex (RR) recovery and on anxiety states (measured with the elevated plus maze (EPM) and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) tests) were assessed in Swiss mice. KEY RESULTS: NPS (0.01-1 nmol per mouse) caused a significant increase in LA in naive mice, in mice habituated to the test cages and in animals sedated with diazepam (5 mg kg(-1)). In the RR assay, NPS dose dependently reduced the proportion of animals losing the RR in response to diazepam (15 mg kg(-1)) and their sleeping time. In the EPM and SIH test, NPS dose dependently evoked anxiolytic-like effects by increasing the time spent by animals in the open arms and reducing the SIH response, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We provide further evidence that NPS acts as a novel modulator of arousal and anxiety-related behaviours by promoting a unique pattern of effects: stimulation associated with anxiolysis. Therefore, NPS receptor ligands may represent innovative drugs for the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders.

Renal permeability alteration precedes hypertension and involves bradykinin in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Vascular permeability disorders have been described in experimental models, as well as in human hypertension. We recently described the fact that vascular permeability to albumin is heterogeneous in the normal rat. In the present study, we examine the contents of Evans blue dye (EB) bound to albumin in selected organs of unanesthetized Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at various stages of development of hypertension. EB was injected in the caudal vein of paired 4, 8, 12, and 16-wk-old WKY and SHR. Rats were killed 10 min after EB injection and extraction of the marker was measured in selected tissues. In additional 4 and 16-wk-old animals, bradykinin B1 and B2 receptor antagonists (BKA) were also injected with EB. Renal contents of EB bound to albumin were higher in the SHR than in the WKY: 196 +/- 9, 202 +/- 10, 182 +/- 7, and 196 +/- 9, compared with 158 +/- 8, 155 +/- 7, 138 +/- 7, and 118 +/- 6 micrograms/g dry tissue, in the 4, 8, 12, and 16-wk-old rats, respectively. In the 4-wk-old SHR and WKY, blood pressure values were normal and comparable, yet the alteration in EB permeability was already present in the SHR. Both BKA failed to alter the renal EB extravasation in the WKY, but the B2-BKA restored the renal permeability to control levels in the SHR. We conclude that a selective defect in the renal vascular permeability to EB developed in the SHR. Since this finding precedes hypertension and is corrected by a selective B2-BKA, it is suggested that bradykinin is involved at an early stage of the disease in the SHR.

Involvement of kinin B1 receptor and oxidative stress in sensory abnormalities and arterial hypertension in an experimental rat model of insulin resistance.

Diabetes Mellitus leads to pain neuropathy and cardiovascular complications which remain resistant to current therapies involving the control of glycaemia. This study aims at defining the contribution of kinin B(1) receptor (B(1)R) and the oxidative stress on sensory abnormalities and arterial hypertension in a rat model of insulin resistance. Rats were fed with 10% d-glucose for a chronic period of 12-14 weeks and the impact of a diet supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant, was determined on tactile and cold allodynia, arterial hypertension and the expression of kinin B(1)R (real-time PCR and autoradiography) in several tissues. Acute effects of brain penetrant (LF22-0542) and peripherally acting (R-715) B(1)R antagonists were also assessed. Glucose-fed rats exhibited tactile and cold allodynia along with increases in systolic blood pressure between 4 and 12 weeks; these alterations were alleviated by alpha-lipoic acid. The latter regimen also decreased significantly increased plasma levels of insulin and glucose and insulin resistance (HOMA index) at 14 weeks. B(1)R mRNA was virtually absent in liver, aorta, lung, kidney and spinal cord isolated from control rats, yet B(1)R mRNA was markedly increased in all tissues in glucose-fed rats. Up-regulated B(1)R mRNA and B(1)R binding sites (spinal cord) were significantly reduced by alpha-lipoic acid in glucose-fed rats. LF22-0542 reduced tactile and cold allodynia (3h) and reversed arterial hypertension (3-48h) in glucose-fed rats. R-715 abolished tactile and cold allodynia but had not effect on blood pressure. Data suggest that the oxidative stress contributes to the induction and up-regulation of B(1)R in the model of insulin resistance induced by glucose feeding. The over expressed B(1)R contributes centrally to arterial hypertension and in the periphery to sensory abnormalities.

New selective bradykinin receptor antagonists and bradykinin B2 receptor characterization.

Substantial progress has been made recently in the field of kinin pharmacology with the identification of sensitive bioassay organs and the discovery of bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists. Data obtained with such compounds in various laboratories support the hypothesis that kinins act on multiple (at least two) receptor types. Domenico Regoli and colleagues review here the basic criteria of receptor characterization as they apply to kinins and present a critical analysis of the bioassay organs and B2 receptor antagonists currently used in kinin pharmacology.

FR 173657: a new, potent, nonpeptide kinin B2 receptor antagonist. An in vitro study.

FR 173657, the first effective nonpeptide kinin B2 receptor antagonist, has been tested in four preparations from different species (human, pig, rabbit, and guinea pig). The new compound shows high apparent affinity for the four B2 receptors, with pA2 values ranging from 8.2 to 9.4 FR 173657 is a selective B2 receptor antagonist that does not interact with human, pig, or rabbit B1 receptors. The new compound is extremely specific for the kinin B2 receptors as it does not affect the myotropic effects of norepinephrine, endothelin-1, or 5-hydroxytryptamine in the human umbilical vein; the contractions elicited by substance P and angiotensin II in the rabbit jugular vein or those produced by acetylcholine and histamine in the guinea pig ileum; or the relaxation of the pig coronary artery induced by norepinephrine and substance P. FR 173657 acts as a competitive antagonist over an extended range of concentrations on human and rabbit B2 receptors, whereas on pig and guinea pig receptors, it depresses the maximal effect of bradykinin and thus appears to act as a noncompetitive antagonist.

Kinin B1 receptor antagonists containing alpha-methyl-L-phenylalanine: in vitro and in vivo antagonistic activities.

-To protect from metabolism and to improve potency of the AcLys-[D-betaNal7,Ile8]desArg9-bradykinin (BK) (R 715), we prepared and tested 3 analogues containing alpha-methyl-L-Phe ([alphaMe]Phe) in position 5: these are the AcLys-[(alphaMe)Phe5,D-betaNal7, Ile8]desArg9BK (R 892), Lys-Lys-[(alphaMe)Phe5,D-betaNal7, Ile8]desArg9BK (R 913), and AcLys-Lys-[(alphaMe)Phe5,D-betaNal7, Ile8]desArg9BK (R 914). The new compounds were tested against the contractile effect induced by desArg9BK on 2 B1 receptor bioassays, the human umbilical vein, and the rabbit aorta. Their antagonistic activities were compared with those of the early prototypes (Lys-[Leu8]desArg9BK and [Leu8]desArg9BK) and with other recently described peptide antagonists. The 3 (alphaMe)Phe analogues showed high antagonistic potencies (pA2) at both the human (8.8, 7.7, and 8. 7, respectively) and rabbit (8.6, 7.8, and 8.6, respectively) B1 receptors. No antagonistic effects (pA2<5) were observed on the B2 receptors that mediate the contractile effects of BK on the human umbilical vein, the rabbit jugular vein, and the guinea pig ileum. Moreover, these new B1 antagonists were found to be resistant to in vitro degradation by purified angiotensin-converting enzyme from rabbit lung. The Nalpha-acetylated forms, R 892 and R 914, were resistant to aminopeptidases from human plasma. In vivo antagonistic potencies (ID50) of B1 receptor antagonists were evaluated in anesthetized lipopolysaccharide-treated (for B1 receptor) and nontreated (for B2 receptor) rabbits against the hypotensive effects of exogenous desArg9BK and BK. R 892 efficiently inhibited (ID50 2.8 nmol/kg IV) hypotension induced by desArg9BK without affecting that evoked by BK (ID50 >600 nmol/kg IV). Conversely, the peptide antagonists Lys-Lys-[Hyp3,Igl5,D-Igl7,Oic8]desArg9BK (B 9858) and DArg-[Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8] desArg9BK (S 0765) showed dual B1/B2 receptor antagonism in vitro and in vivo. It is concluded that R 892 and congeners provide selective, highly potent, and metabolically stable B1 kinin receptor antagonists that can be useful for the assessment of the physiological and pathological roles of kinin B1 receptors.

Cardiovascular effects of nociceptin in unanesthetized mice.

We evaluated the systemic hemodynamic effects induced by nociceptin (NC) and NC-related peptides, including the NC receptor antagonist [Phe1psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]NC(1-13)NH2 ([F/G]NC(1-13)NH2) in unanesthetized normotensive Swiss Morini mice. Bolus intravenous injection of NC decreased mean blood pressure and heart rate. The hypotensive response to 10 nmol/kg NC lasted <10 minutes, whereas a more prolonged hypotension was evoked by 100 nmol/kg (from 114+/-3 to 97+/-2 mm Hg at 10 minutes, P<0.01). The latter dose reduced heart rate from 542+/-43 to 479+/-31 beats/min (P<0.05) and increased aortic blood flow by 41+/-5% (P<0.05). Hypotension and bradycardia were also evoked by NC(1-17)NH2 and NC(1-13)NH2 fragments, whereas NC(1-13)OH and NC(1-9)NH2 were ineffective. Thiorphan, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase 24.11, enhanced the hypotension induced by NC(1-13)NH2 and revealed the ability of NC(1-13)OH to decrease mean blood pressure. [F/G]NC(1-13)NH2, a recently synthesized antagonist of the NC receptor, did not alter basal mean blood pressure or heart rate, but it prevented the hypotension, bradycardia, and increase in aortic blood flow evoked by NC. In contrast, [F/G]NC(1-13)NH2 did not alter the hypotension induced by bradykinin or endomorphin-1 (a micro-receptor agonist), and the bradycardia induced by leu-enkephalin (a delta-receptor agonist) or U504885 (a synthetic kappa-receptor agonist). In conclusion, NC and some of its fragments cause hypotension and bradycardia and increase aortic blood flow in mice, with the NC(1-13) sequence being critical for these biological effects. Our results also demonstrate that the compound [F/G]NC(1-13)NH2 is a potent and selective antagonist of the NC receptor in vivo.

DuP 753 is a specific antagonist for the angiotensin receptor.

2-n-Butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxy-methyl-1-[(2'-(1H)-tetrazol-5-yl)biph enyl-4- yl)methyl]imidazol potassium salt (DuP 753) is a nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist that inhibits the contractile effects of angiotensin II competitively and shows pA2 values of 8.27 on the rabbit aorta and jugular vein, 8.66 on the rat portal vein and stomach, 8.19 on the rat urinary bladder, and 8.36 on human colon, ileum, and urinary bladder. This agent (more than 10(-5) M) exhibits no agonistic activity and does not affect the contractile effects of norepinephrine, acetylcholine, bradykinin, desArg9-bradykinin, substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin B, or bombesin in the various tissues. The present results demonstrate that DuP 753 is a potent nonpeptide antagonist with high affinity, specificity, and selectivity for the angiotensin receptor.

Structure-activity studies of bradykinin and related peptides. B2-receptor antagonists.

Thirty-seven compounds were tested as antagonists of kinin B2- and B1-receptors to identify the chemical changes required to obtain antagonism, improve antagonist affinity, and eliminate residual agonistic activities. Apparent affinity of antagonists was evaluated in terms of pA2 on the rabbit jugular vein, the dog carotid and renal arteries, the hamster urinary bladder, the guinea pig ileum, the rat vas deferens, the guinea pig trachea, and the rabbit aorta, using bradykinin and desArg9-bradykinin as B2- and B1-receptor activators. Replacement of Pro7 of bradykinin with D-Phe leads to antagonism; substitution of Pro3 by Hyp and extension of the peptide chain at the N-terminal with a D-Arg residue improves the affinity of antagonists; acetylation of N-terminal amine function reduces residual agonistic activity; these changes, combined with the replacement of Phe8 by Leu as in Ac-D-Arg[Hyp3,D-Phe7,Leu8]-bradykinin, led to potent full B2-receptor antagonists. Affinity of antagonists differs markedly between highly sensitive (rabbit jugular vein, dog carotid and renal artery), moderately sensitive (hamster urinary bladder, guinea pig ileum, and rat vas deferens), and insensitive preparations (the guinea pig trachea) in which antagonists act as potent stimulants. High concentrations of antagonists block bradykinin completely in the rabbit jugular vein but not in the guinea pig ileum, suggesting that kinins stimulate the moderately sensitive tissues by two mechanisms, of which only one is blocked by antagonists. It thus appears that kinins act on various B2-receptor subtypes or by different action mechanisms.

Structure-activity studies of B1 receptor-related peptides. Antagonists.

We tested several peptides related to des-Arg9-bradykinin as stimulants or inhibitors of B1 (rabbit aorta, human umbilical vein) and B2 (rabbit jugular vein, guinea pig ileum, human umbilical vein) receptors. We also incubated the compounds with purified angiotensin-converting enzyme from rabbit lung to test their resistance to degradation. We evaluated apparent affinities (in terms of the affinity constant pA2) of compounds and their potential residual agonistic activities (alpha E). Bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin were used as agonists for the B2 and B1 receptors, respectively. Degradation of peptides by the angiotensin-converting enzyme was prevented in the presence of a D-residue in position 7 of des-Arg9-bradykinin. Replacement of Pro7 with D-Tic combined with Leu, Ile, Ala, or D-Tic in position 8 led to weak B1 receptor antagonists, some of which had strong residual agonistic activities on the B2 receptor preparations. The use of D-beta Nal in position 7, combined with Ile in position 8 and AcLys at the N-terminal (eg, AcLys[D-beta Nal7, Ile8]des-Arg9-bradykinin) gave the most active B1 receptor antagonist (pA2 of 8.5 on rabbit aorta and human umbilical vein), which is also partially resistant to enzymatic degradation. Extension of the N-terminal end by Sar-Tyr-epsilon Ahx (used for labeling purposes) and even cold-labeling of Tyr with iodine were compatible with high, selective, and specific antagonism of the B1 receptors. We compared some compounds with some already known B1 receptor antagonists to underline the novelty of new peptidic compounds.

Acute ACE inhibition causes plasma extravasation in mice that is mediated by bradykinin and substance P.

The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been associated with the occurrence of adverse effects, including cough and angioneurotic edema. Accumulation of kinins has been suggested to play a major role in these adverse effects of ACE inhibitor, although conclusive evidence for such a role is lacking. We investigated whether ACE inhibition increases plasma extravasation in mice (Swiss, C57Bl/6J, and J129Sv/Ev strains) via inhibition of bradykinin metabolism and stimulation of neurogenic inflammatory mechanisms. Intravenous captopril and enalapril increased the extravasation of Evans blue dye in all tissues examined (trachea, stomach, duodenum, and pancreas). This effect was evident 15 minutes after drug administration. The particulate dye Monastral blue identified the sites of captopril-induced leakage in the microvasculature. Pretreatment with the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140 or with the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist SR 140333 inhibited captopril-evoked increase in plasma extravasation. In mice in which the gene encoding the bradykinin B2 receptor was disrupted by gene targeting, neither bradykinin nor captopril increased plasma extravasation. Pretreatment with Hoe 140 did not reduce the hypotensive response induced by captopril. The present findings suggest that ACE inhibition increases kinin levels in tissues and/or plasma. These increased kinin levels increase microvascular leakage in mouse airways and digestive tract via the release of tachykinins from terminals of primary sensory neurons. Exaggerated kinin production and the subsequent stimulation of peptide release from sensory nerves may be involved in adverse effects of ACE inhibitors.

Conformational features of bradykinin. A circular dichroism study of some peptide fragments and structural analogues of bradykinin.

The vasoactive hormone bradykinin, its N-and C-terminal fragments and some structural analogues were studied by Circular Dichroism. Conformational features of the peptide can be detected by comparative analysis of the various CD spectra recorded as a function of aqueous pH, solvent and temperature. It is shown that the two biologically essential arginine residues (Arg1 and Arg9) are important for the specific folded bradykinin conformation. Differences between bradykinin, its fragments and analogues become clearly established in conformational terms, and are discussed in relation to the biological activity of these peptides.

Biological activities of photoaffinity labeling analogues of kinins and their irreversible effects on kinin receptors.

Several analogues of bradykinin and [des-Arg9]bradykinin with potentially reactive groups have been tested for their biological activities. In these analogues, phenylalanine was replaced by the aromatic amino acid (4'-nitro)Phe, (4'-amino)Phe, (4'-azido)Phe, and (4'-diazonium)Phe, as well as with other residues. [Des-Arg9]bradykinin and the octapeptide analogues were tested on rabbit aorta strips, an assay organ containing the B1 receptor which is activated by the octapeptide [des-Arg9]bradykinin. Strips of rabbit jugular vein served as bioassays for bradykinin and the nonapeptide analogues, because the rabbit jugular vein bears the receptor B2 which is sensitive to bradykinin nonapeptides. The biological findings support the interpretation that kinins act on two different receptor types, since the potency orders of the analogues in the two bioassays are different. All potential photolabels retained reasonable affinities in the dark, except [(4'-azido)Phe8,des-Arg9]bradykinin, which, however, proved to be a weak and competitive antagonist of [des-Arg9]bradykinin on the rabbit aorta. Inactivation experiments with the unstable (4'-diazonium)Phe-containing peptides did not show any irreversible effect in the two bioassays. Photoaffinity labeling experiments with the azido and the nitro peptides gave irreversible and specific effects on both the rabbit aorta and the jugular vein. [(4'-Azido)Phe8,des-Arg9]bradykinin photolyzed at 365 nm on the rabbit aorta reduced the sensitivity of this tissue against [des-Arg9]bradykinin specifically to about one-third of its initial value. [(4'-Azido)Phe5]bradykinin reduced the sensitivity of the rabbit jugular vein to bradykinin by more than 50%. The observed irreversible effects were always loss of myotropic activity and never permanent contraction.

Synthesis and biological activities of substance P antagonists.

Several substance P analogues containing various D-amino acid modifications have been synthesized by the solid-phase procedure, detached from the solid support by ammonolysis, and purified by gel filtration combined with reversed-phase chromatography. Three compounds were fair to very potent competitive antagonists of substance P on three bioassays, i.e., guinea pig ileum, rabbit mesenteric vein, and guinea pig trachea. [Arg6,D-Trp10]SP(6-11) is a reasonable antagonist in all three bioassays and [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9]SP(4-11) is a very potent competitive antagonist with pA2 values ranging around 6.0.

Synthesis of peptides by the solid-phase method. 7. Substance P and analogues.

Substance P and 21 related peptides containing isosteric or isofunctional groups were prepared by the solid-phase method. After purification by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography, the compounds were characterized by thin-layer chromatography, paper electrophoresis, and amino acid and elemental analysis. The biological activities of the peptides were evaluated in vitro on the guinea pig ileum, the rabbit mesenteric vein, and the dog common carotid artery and in vivo on the rat blood pressure. It is shown that the replacement of some residues in the undecapeptide substance P causes variable losses of apparent affinity with a little or no change in the intrinsic activity. All the analogues used in the present study were found to be inactive as antagonists.

Synthesis and biological activities of photoaffinity labeling analogues of substance P.

Substance P (Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-MetNH2, SP) is an undecapeptide with important properties as a neurotransmitter and with other functions. No specific antagonists and no long-acting analogues of this peptide hormone are known to date. In order to reach these goals, analogues of SP have been prepared which contain potential affinity, as well as photoaffinity labeling functions, suitable for irreversible attachment to SP receptors. We report here the synthesis of SP analogues which have the Phe residues in positions 7 or 8 replaced with (4'-NO2)Phe, (4'-NH2)Phe, (4'-N2+)Phe, and (4'-N3)Phe. Some of these peptides are used for photoaffinity labeling studies using various bioassays. The synthesis of the (NO2)Phe-containing peptide was carried out on solid phase using Nle instead of Met and the Boc strategy up to residue 4; the remaining amino acids were added using an Fmoc strategy. The protected undecapetide was cleaved by ammonolysis, purified by chromatography on silica gel with chloroform/methanol and deprotected afterwards. The amino, diazonium, and azido peptides were obtained in this sequence by chemical modification of the nitro peptides. On guinea pig ileum the modified peptides in position 8 had close to maximal activity, whereas modifications in position 7 produced some reduced activity, especially the nitro modification. No diazonium peptide produced any irreversible effects on guinea pig ileum. Photoinactivation studies were carried out on strips of guniea pig trachea, but no irreversible effects have been observed, neither permanent stimulation nor permanent inactivation. The biological activities and effects are discussed in view of the molecular properties of the synthesized analogues.

An investigation of angiotensin II agonist and antagonist analogues with 5,5-dimethylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and other constrained amino acids.

To probe the receptor-bound conformational requirements of angiotensin II (ANG II) octapeptide agonists and antagonists, the synthesis and biological activities of [Sar1]ANG II agonist and [Sar1,X8]ANG II antagonist analogues (X8 = Ile, D-Phe, or Aib) bearing conformational constraints in positions 3, 5, and 7 were investigated and compared with previous literature efforts. The conformational constraints that were examined include Pro, Dtc (5,5-dimethylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid), Aib, Cle, (NMe)Ala, (NMe)Ile, and the lactam modification, L,L-lactam-Phe, previously described by Freidinger et al. (J. Org. Chem. 1982, 47, 104-109). Both [Sar1,(NMe)Ala3 and Pro3]ANG II retained agonist activity, while only [Sar1,(NMe)Ala3,Ile8]ANG II retained antagonist activity. [Sar1,Dtc5]ANG II displayed superior agonist activity, while both [Sar1,Dtc5 and Cle5,Ile8] ANG II displayed superior antagonist activity. In contrast to position 5, Dtc7 substitution for Pro7 of either [Sar1]ANG II or [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II gave analogues with reduced activities. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that conformations of [Sar1]ANG II and [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II containing a C7 conformation in position 7 are preferred for both ANG II agonist and antagonist activity. Incorporation of the L,L-lactam-Phe modification into [Sar1]ANG II gives a pure ANG II antagonist (pA2 8.3), comparable to saralasin (pA2 8.6). In positions 3, 5, and 7 the conformational requirements for the ANG II agonist [Sar1]ANG II and the ANG II antagonist [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II may be different. Individual substitution of (NMe)Ala3, Dtc5, D-Phe8 and Aib8 [[Sar1,Aib8]ANG II: Khosla et al. J. Med. Chem. 1977, 20, 1051-1055] into [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II gives analogues that retain antagonist activity. Multiple substitutions of these types of residues into [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II gives analogue 45 [Sar1,(NMe)Ala3,Dtc5,Aib8]ANG II, 46 [Sar1(NMe)Ala3,D-Phe8]AII, and 47 [Sar1,Dtc5,D-Phe8]AII, which display considerably reduced antagonist activity. In ANG II antagonists the construction of highly constrained analogues may not be possible by the additive substitution of "preferred" constrained amino acids into a single analogue.

The importance of residues 2 (arginine) and 6 (histidine) in high-affinity angiotensin II antagonists.

The structure-antagonist activity relationship is described for analogues of [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin II substituted in position 2 (arginine) and position 6 (histidine). An extreme sensitivity of potency to alterations in these positions was observed, suggesting that both residues are important for binding. Evidence is presented suggesting that the position 6 histidine side chain in angiotensin II (AII) is not involved in receptor stimulation. The structure-activity relationship is also explored for both [des-Asp1] AII (AIII) and [des-Asp1,Ile8]AII analogues substituted in position 2 (arginine). The substitution of D-N-methylalanine, D-(NMe)Ala, into position 2 of both [des-Asp1]AII and [des-Asp1,Ile8]AII gives analogues 39 and 40 that appear to be more potent than the native [Arg2]peptides and that are the most potent AIII agonists and antagonists described to date.

Effects of D-amino acid substitution on antagonist activities of angiotensin II analogues.

The synthesis and biological activities of angiotensin II (AII) analogues are described and compared to the literature. D-Amino acid substitution was employed to search for novel AII antagonists that would also display reduced partial agonist activity. Substitution of D-amino acids into the interior positions 2-7 of [Sar1,Ile8]-AII gave rise to inactive compounds or weak antagonists. Substitution of D-amino acids into position 8 gave rise to potent antagonists in vivo including [Sar1,D-Phe8]-AII 8, [Sar1,D-(alpha Me)Phe8]-AII (35), [Sar1,D-Trp8]-AII (32), [Sar1,D-Phg8]-AII (29), [Sar1,D-Peg8]-AII (30), and [Sar1,D-Phe8]-AII-NH2 (31). The structural requirements for D-AA8 analogues (antagonists) showed similarities with those of L-AA8 analogues (agonists). The latter three analogues, 29-31, were considerably more potent in vivo than their in vitro affinities would indicate, suggesting that these analogues may resist carboxypeptidase-like degradation. While partial agonist activity was not removed by D-AA8 substitution, [Sar1,D-Phe8]-AII-NH2 (31) displays lower partial agonist activity than [Sar1,Ile8]-AII. A receptor model is presented that highlights the difference between [L-AA8]-AII analogue agonist activity and [D-AA8]-AII analogue antagonist activity.