alpha-Adrenergic activities of some substituted 2-(aminomethyl)imidazolines.

A series of 2-(aminomethyl)imidazolines related to the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine was prepared and evaluated for alpha-adrenergic agonist and antagonist activities in the isolated, field-stimulated rat vas deferens. Affinities for alpha-adrenergic receptors were determined by displacement of [3H]clonidine and [3H]prazosin from membrane binding sites of calf cerebral cortex. This series provided a variety of alpha-adrenergic profiles, with some of the (aminomethyl)imidazolines being nonselective alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists like phentolamine, while others were either nonselective alpha 1- and alpha 2-agonists or mixed alpha 1-agonists/alpha 2-antagonists.

Cyclization-activated prodrugs. Basic carbamates of 4-hydroxyanisole.

A series of basic carbamates of 4-hydroxyanisole was prepared and evaluated as progenitors of this melanocytotoxic phenol. All of the carbamates were relatively stable at low pH but released 4-hydroxyanisole cleanly at pH 7.4 at rates that were structure dependent. A detailed study of the N-methyl-N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]carbamate showed that generation of the parent phenol followed first-order kinetics with t1/2 = 36.3 min at pH 7.4, 37 degrees C, and was accompanied by formation of N,N'-dimethylimidazolidinone. These basic carbamates are examples of cyclization-activated prodrugs in which generation of the active drug is not linked to enzymatic cleavage but rather depends solely upon a predictable, intramolecular cyclization-elimination reaction.

Cyclization-activated prodrugs. Basic esters of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine.

Some 3'- and 5'-[[(alkylamino)ethyl]glycyl] esters of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine were prepared and evaluated in vitro as progenitors of the parent alcohol. The esters proved to be relatively stable at low pH but released 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine cleanly at rates which were pH and structure dependent. These basic esters are examples of cyclization-activated prodrugs in which generation of active drug is not linked to enzymatic cleavage but rather results from an intramolecular cyclization-elimination reaction.

Trichloroacetamidines, a new class of positive inotropic agents.

A series of trichloroacetamidine derivatives, obtained by addition of amines to trichloroacetonitrile, was evaluated for positive inotropic activity on isolated cat heart papillary muscles. Increased contractility, not antagonized by beta-adrenergic blockade with sotalol or reserpine pretreatment, was observed in this assay with a variety of N-substituted trichloroacetamidine derivatives. More extensive pharmacological studies with the 3-indolylmethyl analogue 2 showed that this amidine in dogs, 5 mg/kg iv, produced a positive inotropic effect more pronounced than that of ouabain, 50 microgram/kg iv. Several of the trichloroacetamidines were found to be inhibitors of guinea pig kidney and calf heart Na-K-dependent ATPase and to have specificity for these enzymes different from that of ouabain. Bacterial mutagenic activity was observed with three members, 2,3, and 12, of the series.

Piperazinylquinoxalines with central serotoninmimetic activity.

Regioselective syntheses of substituted 2-chloroquinoxalines and derived 2-(1-piperazinyl)quinoxalines are described. Selectivity in regards to serotonin reuptake blocking and serotoninmimetic activities of the piperazinylquinoxalines is reported. In general, introduction of a 6-substituent into the piperazinylquinoxaline enhanced serotonin reuptake blocking activity and diminished serotoninmimetic activity. Unsubstituted and 3-hydroxypiperazinylquinoxalines had primarily serotoninmimetic activity.

Bioactive conformation of 1-arylpiperazines at central serotonin receptors.

A number of 1-arylpiperazines have been characterized as direct-acting serotonin agonists. Conformational parameters of this class that may affect receptor recognition and binding have been examined through the analysis of X-ray data and synthesis of rigid analogues. Radioligand binding studies indicate that 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-9-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoline, an arylpiperazine that mimics the X-ray conformation of the serotonin agonist 1-(6-chloropyrazin-2-yl)piperazine, exhibits high affinity for serotonin receptors, suggesting that the two rings of 1-arylpiperazines are relatively coplanar in the bioactive conformation.

3-Hydroxy-alpha-methyltyrosine progenitors: synthesis and evaluation of some (2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl esters.

The (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3- dioxol -4-yl)methyl and (5-tert-butyl-2-oxo-1, 3- dioxol -4-yl)methyl esters of 3-hydroxy-alpha-methyltyrosine (methyldopa) were prepared and evaluated as progenitors of the amino acid. 1H NMR experiments reveal that the esters are converted cleanly to methyldopa and the corresponding alpha-diketone at pH 7.4, with the 5-methyl derivative undergoing hydrolysis faster than the 5-tert-butyl analogue. Bioavailability studies in dogs show that the esters, particularly the 5-methyl derivative, yield significant plasma levels of methyldopa. Both esters are orally effective antihypertensive agents in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. These studies indicate that (2-oxo-1,3- dioxol -4-yl)methyl esters are viable prodrugs for the latentiation of methyldopa.

Synthesis and evaluation of some nitrobenzenesulfonamides containing nitroisopropyl and (ureidooxy)methyl groups as novel hypoxic cell selective cytotoxic agents.

Basic nitrobenzenesulfonamides containing nitroisopropyl and (ureidooxy)methyl groups were prepared and evaluated as novel hypoxic cell selective cytotoxic agents. In vitro, N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-methyl-3-nitro-4-(1-methyl-1-nitroethyl)benzene sulfonamide hydrochloride (11) proved to be preferentially toxic to hypoxic EMT6 mammary carcinoma cells. At 1 mM concentration in vitro, 11 reduced the surviving fraction of these hypoxic cells to 3 x 10(-3) with no effect on aerobic cells. In radiation experiments, 11 appeared to function as a hypoxic cell radiosensitizer as well as a selective cytotoxic agent. However, administration of 11 at 200 mg/kg ip or 100 mg/kg iv to BALB/c mice implanted with solid EMT6 tumors produced no evidence of significant in vivo cytotoxic or radiosensitizing activity. N-Methyl-N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-3-nitro-4- [(ureidooxy)methyl]benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (20) showed slight differential toxicity toward EMT6 cells at 3 mM concentration and radiosensitizing activity comparable to misonidazole at 1 mM concentration.

Adrenoceptor and tetrabenazine antagonism activities of some pyridinyltetrahydropyridines.

A series of pyridinyltetrahydropyridine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as adrenoceptor and tetrabenazine antagonists. 4-(3-Fluoro-2-pyridinyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine proved to be the most potent and selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist of the series as measured in vitro by displacement of [3H]clonidine and [3H]prazosin from membrane binding sites of calf cerebral cortex and by antagonism of the effects of clonidine and methoxamine in the rat isolated, field-stimulated vas deferens. In addition, this compound, and the corresponding desfluoro derivative, blocked tetrabenazine-induced ptosis in the mouse.

Synthesis and activity of novel nitropyrazines for use as hypoxic cell radiosensitizers.

A series of eight novel nitropyrazines has been prepared by oxidation of sulfoximine intermediates. The partition coefficient, one-electron reduction potential, sensitizer enhancement ratio, and chronic and acute aerobic cytotoxicity have been measured for each. Two representatives of this series were tested in the Ames test and were not found to be mutagenic.

Preparation of some 10-[3-(dimethylamino)-1-propyl]-10H-pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4] benzothiazines as potential neuroleptics.

Chloro- and methyl-substituted 10H-pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazines were prepared and their structures determined by 13C NMR and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Alkylation afforded the 10-[3-(dimethylamino)-1-propyl] derivatives, which were compared to chlorpromazine in receptor-binding assays, in vivo behavioral tests, and electrochemical oxidation studies. In this series, the 2-chloro compound, 4c, proved to be the most effective derivative in displacing [3H]siperone, [3H]apomorphine, and [3H]prazosin radioligands from binding sites, being approximately as potent as chlorpromazine in this respect. However, none of the 10H-pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazines of this study were as active as chlorpromazine in in vivo tests predictive of neuroleptic activity.

Piperazinylpyrazines with central serotoninmimetic activity.

A series of 2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazines was synthesized and evaluated for central serotonin-like activity. The most interesting member of the series, 6-chloro-2(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine (3a), had pharmacological properties characteristic of potent central serotoninmimetic activity and only weak peripheral serotoninmimetic action. Structural similarities between 3a and serotonin are discussed.

Gastrin releasing peptide antagonists with improved potency and stability.

Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) is a 27 amino acid peptide hormone which is homologous to the amphibian peptide bombesin. Two series of novel GRP antagonists were developed by C-terminal modification of N-acetyl-GRP-20-27 amide. Peptide derivatives within each series resist enzymatic degradation in serum and exhibit strong affinity for the GRP receptor. The first series of compounds replaces the Leu26-Met27 region of GRP with an alkyl ether N-acetyl-GRP-20-25-NH-[(S)-1-ethoxy-4-methyl-2-pentane], specifically blocked radiolabeled GRP binding with an IC50 of 6 nM. In the second series of antagonists the oxygen of the ether moiety is replaced with a methylene group, resulting in GRP antagonists which are equipotent to native GRP in receptor binding assays (IC50 = 2 nM) and are also resistant to proteolytic degradation in vitro. All of the C-terminally modified peptides tested blocked GRP-stimulated mitogenesis in Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Representative compounds also blocked GRP-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i in human SCLC cells, and inhibited GRP-independent release of gastrin in vivo.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-pyridinone derivatives as specific HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. 3. Pyridyl and phenyl analogs of 3-aminopyridin-2(1H)-one.

In an ongoing effort to develop novel nonnucleoside, specific human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors, a series of 3-[(pyridylmethyl)amino]- and 3-[(phenylmethyl)amino]-2-pyridinone derivatives was synthesized and tested for HIV-1 RT inhibitory activity. The more potent compounds have a 2'-methoxy group and 4'- and/or 5'-aliphatic substituents on the pyridyl and phenyl rings. Several of the more potent compounds were also evaluated for antiviral activity in MT-4 cell culture. From this series of compounds, 3-[N-[(5-ethyl-2-methoxy-6-methyl-3-pyridyl)methyl]amino]-5-ethyl-6- methylpyridin-2(1H)-one (6) was selected for clinical evaluation.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-pyridinone derivatives as HIV-1-specific reverse transcriptase inhibitors. 2. Analogues of 3-aminopyridin-2(1H)-one.

A series of nonnucleoside 3-aminopyridin-2(1H)-one derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for HIV-1 RT inhibitory properties. Several analogs proved to be potent and highly selective antagonists with in vitro IC50 values as low as 19 nM in the enzyme assay using rC.dG as template-primer. Two compounds from this series, 3-[[(4,7-dimethylbenzoxazol-2-yl)methyl]-amino]-5-ethyl-6-methy lpyridin-2(1H)-one (34, L-697,639) and the corresponding 4,7-dichloro analogue (37, L-697,661) inhibited the spread of HIV-1 IIIb infection by 95% in MT4 cell culture at concentrations of 25-50 nM and were selected for clinical trials as antiviral agents.

Pyridinylpiperazines, a new class of selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists.

A series of 1-(2-pyridinyl)piperazine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for adrenergic activity. In vitro activity was assessed through the antagonism of clonidine's effect in the rat, isolated, field-stimulated vas deferens and by the displacement of [3H]clonidine from membrane binding sites of calf cerebral cortex. Antagonism of clonidine-induced mydriasis in the rat was used as an in vivo assay. Several members of the series proved to be potent, selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists. 1-(3-Fluoro-2-pyridinyl)piperazine was more potent than either yohimbine or rauwolscine in displacement of [3H]clonidine and had a higher affinity for this binding site (alpha 2) than for the [3H]prazosin site (alpha 1). In vivo, the 3-F derivative was more potent than the reference standards in reversing clonidine-induced mydriasis. None of the members of this series was more selective or potent than rauwolscine in antagonizing clonidine in the rat vas deferens.

Synthesis and antihypertensive activity of some ester progenitors of methyldopa.

A variety of esters of methyldopa was synthesized with the objective of obtaining derivatives that would be more efficiently absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract than the free amino acid and would undergo conversion to methyldopa readily in the blood or target tissues. Two of the esters, alpha-pivaloyloxyethyl (4u) and alpha-succinimidoethyl (4w), were found to be more potent antihypertensive agents than methyldopa in animal models and were selected for further study in man. The amino esters were prepared by three different methods, including direct esterification of methyldopa without the use of N- or O-protecting groups.

1-Methyl-4-cyclohexyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MCTP): an alicyclic MPTP-like neurotoxin.

1-Methyl-4-cyclohexyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MCTP), an analog of MPTP, was found to be an MPTP-like neurotoxin. MCTP administration caused extensive losses of neostriatal dopamine and its major metabolites in male Swiss-Webster mice. Under similar experimental conditions, MCTP was approximately as potent as MPTP. Like MPTP, MCTP was a good substrate for monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) and its neurotoxicity was prevented in mice by AGN-1135, a selective inhibitor of MAO-B. The neurotoxicity of MCTP and of MPTP was also prevented by the dopamine uptake inhibitor mazindol. 1-Methyl-4-cyclohexylpyridinium ion (MCP+), the 4-electron oxidation product of MCTP, caused release of previously accumulated [3H]dopamine from mouse neostriatal synaptosomes. This release was blocked by mazindol, which indicates that MCP+, like 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), the 4-electron oxidation product of MPTP, is a substrate for the dopamine transport system. Like MPP+, MCP+ was found to inhibit the mitochondrial oxidation of NADH-linked substrates. It appears that conjugation between the tetrahydropyridine ring and a 4-substituent is not a requirement for an MPTP analog to possess neurotoxicity.