Novel (S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ selective agonists with protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition.

A novel series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and (S)-2-[(2E,4E)-hexadienoyl]-7-(2-{5-methyl-2-[(1E)-5-methylhexen-1-yl]oxazol-4-yl}ethoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (14i) was identified as a potent human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) selective agonist (EC(50)=0.03 µM) and human protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) inhibitor (IC(50)=1.18 µM). C(max) after oral administration of 14i at 10mg/kg was 2.2 µg/ml (4.5 µM) in male SD rats. Repeated administration of 14i and rosiglitazone for 14 days dose-dependently decreased plasma glucose levels, ED(50)=4.3 and 23 mg/kg/day, respectively, in male KK-A(y) mice. In female SD rats, repeated administration of 14i at 12.5-100mg/kg/day for 28 days had no effect on the hematocrit value (Ht) and red blood cell count (RBC), while rosiglitazone significantly decreased them from 25mg/kg/day. In conclusion, 14i showed about a fivefold stronger hypoglycemic effect and fourfold or more weaker hemodilution effect than rosiglitazone, indicating that 14i is 20-fold or more safer than rosiglitazone. Compound 14i is a promising candidate for an efficacious and safe anti-diabetic drug targeting PPARγ and PTP-1B.

A novel series of (S)-2,7-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ dual agonists with protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activity.

Novel 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and (S)-7-(2-{2-[(E)-2-cyclopentylvinyl]-5-methyloxazol-4-yl}ethoxy)-2-[(2E,4E)-hexadienoyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (14c) was identified as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ dual agonist. The transactivation activity of 14c was comparable to that of rosiglitazone in human PPARγ (EC50=0.14 µM) and was much higher than in human PPARα (EC50=0.20 µM). In addition, 14c, but not rosiglitazone, showed human protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) inhibitory activity (IC50=1.85 µM). 14c showed about 10-fold stronger hypoglycemic and hypotriglyceridemic effects than rosiglitazone by repeated application for 14 d in male KK-Ay mice. Furthermore, 14c, but not rosiglitazone, increased hepatic peroxisome acyl CoA oxidase activity at 30 mg/kg/d for 7 d in male Syrian hamsters, probably due to its PPARα agonist activity. 14c did not affect plasma volume at 100 mg/kg/d for 14 d in male ICR mice, while rosiglitazone significantly increased it. In conclusion, 14c is a promising candidate for an efficacious and safe anti-diabetic drug with triple actions as a PPARα/γ dual agonist with PTP-1B inhibitory activity.

2-Acyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids: lead compounds with triple actions, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ agonist and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activities.

2-Acyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated. (S)-2-(2,4-Hexadienoyl)-7-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethoxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (14) showed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and PPARα agonist activities and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) inhibitory activities. PPARγ agonist activity of 14 was comparable to that of rosiglitazone, and PTP-1B inhibitory activity was about 10-fold weaker than that of ertiprotafib, a PTP-1B inhibitor. Compound 14 showed high oral absorption in rats and potent hypoglycemic effects in KK-A(y) mice. In conclusion, 14 would be an excellent lead compound for a new type of anti-diabetic drug with triple actions.

Novel prodrugs of meropenem with two lipophilic promoieties: synthesis and pharmacokinetics.

To improve the oral absorption of meropenem (MEPM), we synthesized and evaluated a series of its double-promoiety prodrugs, in which lipophilic promoieties were introduced into carboxyl and pyrrolidinyl groups. Among these prodrugs, pivaloyloxymethyl (1R,5S,6S)-2-[(3S,5S)-5-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-(isobutyryloxymethyloxycarbonyl)pyrrolidin-3-ylthio]-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-1-methylcarbapen-2-em-3-carboxylate (4) and 1-ethylpropyloxycarbonyloxymethyl (1R,5S,6S)-2-[(3S,5S)-5-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)-1-(isobutyryloxymethyloxycarbonyl)pyrrolidin-3-ylthio]-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-1-methylcarbapen-2-em-3-carboxylate (8) were chosen for further evaluation. Compounds 4 and 8 were well absorbed after oral administration to rats and beagles (bioavailability 18.2-38.4%), and expected to show potent therapeutic efficacy in patients infected with various pathogens, such as penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae and ß-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae.

Novel acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor: indoline-based sulfamide derivatives with low lipophilicity and protein binding ratio.

To find a novel acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor, a series of sulfamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated. Compound 1d, in which carboxymethyl moiety at the 5-position of Pactimibe was replaced by a sulfamoylamino group, showed 150-fold more potent anti-foam cell formation activity (IC(50): 0.02 microM), 1.6-fold higher log D(7.0) (4.63), and a slightly lower protein binding ratio (93.2%) than Pactimibe. Compound 1i, in which the octyl chain at the 1-position in 1d was replaced by an ethoxyethyl, showed markedly low log D(7.0) (1.73) and maintained 3-fold higher anti-foam cell formation activity (IC(50): 1.0 microM), than Pactimibe. The plasma protein binding ratio (PBR) of 1i was much lower than that of Pactimibe (62.5% vs. 98.1%), and its partition ratio to the rabbit atherosclerotic aorta after oral administration was higher than that of Pactimibe. Compound 1i at 10 microM markedly inhibited cholesterol esterification in atherosclerotic rabbit aortas even when incubated with serum, while Pactimibe had little effect probably due to its high PBR. In conclusion, compound 1i is expected to more efficiently inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis than Pactimibe.

Novel tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives with inhibitory activities against acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase and lipid peroxidation.

To find a novel acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor with anti-lipid peroxidative activity, a series of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives were synthesized and evaluated. A compound with a N-(4-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethylphenyl)carbamoyl moiety at the 3-position and an octanoyl moiety at the 2-position (7) was demonstrated to show anti-foam cell formation activity stronger than and anti-lipid peroxidative activity comparable to those of Pactimibe, while it was hardly absorbed orally. To increase its bioavailability, the acyl chain at the 2-position was shortened and various polar or basic moieties were introduced at the 7-position of 7. Among the synthesized derivatives, (S)-7-dimethylamino-N-(4-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethylphenyl)-2-isobutyryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (21) showed about 16-fold stronger anti-foam cell formation activity, 3-fold stronger hepatic ACAT inhibitory activity, similar anti-low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative activity and 2-fold more potent protective activity against macrophage cell death by oxidative stress in comparison with Pactimibe. Compound 21 was efficiently absorbed after oral administration at 10 mg/kg in rats and dogs and its C(max) values were higher than its IC(50) values for in vitro activities. In conclusion, a tetrahydroisoquinoline structure is a useful scaffold for designing a phenolic anti-oxidative ACAT inhibitor, and compound 21 is expected to effectively prevent atherosclerosis.

Novel indoline-based acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor: Effects of introducing a methanesulfonamide group on physicochemical properties and biological activities.

A novel series of indoline-based acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors with a methanesulfonamide group at the 5-position were synthesized and their lipophilicity and biological activities were evaluated. Hepatic ACAT inhibitory and anti-foam cell formation activity increased dependent on lipophilicity of derivatives with various alkyl chains at the 1-position. The logD(7.0)-biological activity curve of the derivatives with a methanesulfonamide group shifted leftward compared to that of Pactimibe derivatives with a carboxymethyl group, and derivatives with no substituent, suggesting that a methanesulfonamide group plays an important role in the interaction with ACAT protein. Among derivatives, N-(1-ethyl-5-methanesulfonylamino-4,6-dimethylindolin-7-yl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (1b) had about twofold lower logD(7.0) than Pactimibe, while it showed twofold higher hepatic ACAT inhibition than and the same anti-foam cell formation as Pactimibe, respectively. The C(max) of 1b (10mg/kg, po) was higher than that of Pactimibe in rats. The plasma protein binding ratio of 1b was lower than that of Pactimibe: 64.8% and 97.9%, respectively. Compound 1b showed greater inhibitory effects on hepatic cholesterol secretion in mice than Pactimibe. In conclusion, the introduction of a methanesulfonamide group is effective to design less lipophilic, more efficacious and more bioavailable indoline-based ACAT inhibitors than previous indoline-based inhibitors.

Novel indoline-based acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor with antiperoxidative activity: improvement of physicochemical properties and biological activities by introduction of carboxylic acid.

A series of novel indoline derivatives with an ionizable moiety were synthesized to find a bioavailable acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor with antiperoxidative activity. [7-(2,2-Dimethylpropanamido)-4,6-dimethyl-1-octylindolin-5-yl]acetic acid hemisulfate (2, pactimibe sulfate) with low lipophilicity and high water solubility showed good oral absorption and inhibitory activity against foam cell formation in THP-1 cells exposed to acetyl-LDL after differentiation (IC50: 0.3 microM) and an antiperoxidative effect in LDL of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (IC50: 1.0 microM). 2 inhibited macrophage, hepatic, and intestinal ACAT activity (IC50: 1.9, 0.7, and 0.7 microM, respectively). Maximal plasma concentration after oral administration of 2 at 10 mg/kg was 0.9 microg/mL in rats, 3.0 microg/mL in rabbits, and 11.2 microg/mL in dogs. Repeated administration of 2 lowered plasma LDL/VLDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rabbits at 1 mg/kg/day, rats and dogs at 3 mg/kg/day, and in normocholesterolemic hamsters at 3 mg/kg/day. 2 is a promising candidate for antihyperlipidemic and antiatherosclerotic drugs.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids: a novel series of PPAR gamma agonists.

A novel series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated. (S)-2-Benzyl-7-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethoxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (10, KY-021) was identified as a novel peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist, which showed potent activity in human PPAR gamma (EC50=11.8 nM). KY-021 reduced plasma glucose and triglyceride levels at 3 mg/kg/d for 7 d in male KK-Ay mice. KY-021 also decreased plasma triglyceride levels at 0.3-3 mg/kg/d for 6 d, and improved oral glucose tolerance at 1 and 3 mg/kg/d for 7 d in male Zucker fatty rats. Maximal plasma concentration of KY-021 after oral administration at 10 mg/kg was 6.6 microg/ml and 2.1 microg/ml in male ICR mice and male SD rats, respectively. Repeated oral administration of KY-021 at 30 mg/kg/d for 10 weeks had little toxicity in male SD rats. These results demonstrated that KY-021 has great potential as an efficacious and safe drug for diabetes.

Relationships between lipophilicity and biological activities in a series of indoline-based anti-oxidative acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors.

A novel series of 1-alkyl-7-amido-indoline-based anti-oxidative acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors have been reported and are expected to lower plasma cholesterol levels due to the inhibition of intestinal and hepatic ACAT, and to inhibit cholesterol accumulation in macrophages due to the inhibition of low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. In the present study, relationships between lipophilicity and biological activities were examined in 13 derivatives. Lipophilicity (logP) increased and water solubility decreased with dependence on the number of carbons in the 1-alkyl chain. Inhibitory activity against both in vitro intestinal ACAT and LDL oxidation positively correlated with logP; however, the optimum logP, at which the level of activity is maximal, differed between these two effects. Inhibitory activity against in vitro plasma oxidation was weakly dependent on logP. Plasma concentrations of the derivatives after oral administration at 10 mg/kg correlated negatively with logP and positively with water solubility. Hypocholesterolemic activity in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet, and the ratio of Cmax and IC50 values for ACAT inhibition, an index of effective plasma concentration, positively and highly correlated with logP, while ex vivo inhibitory activity against plasma oxidation in rats, and the ratio of Cmax and IC50 values for the inhibition of plasma oxidation negatively correlated with logP. In conclusion, in vitro ACAT inhibitory and anti-oxidative activity were differently dependent on logP, and intestinal absorption was inversely dependent on lipophilicity in indoline-based anti-oxidative ACAT inhibitors. The hypocholesterolemic effect positively correlated and the ex vivo anti-oxidative effect negatively correlated with lipophilicity. Optimum logP as a bioavailable dual inhibitor against in vivo ACAT and lipid peroxidation was estimated to be 3.8 (1-pentyl and 1-isopentyl derivatives) in the present series of derivatives.