1-[(Imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indoles as new hypotensive agents: synthesis and in vitro and in vivo biological studies.

A series of 1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indole analogues of hypotensive α2 -AR agonists, 1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indazoles, was synthesized and tested in vitro for their activities at α1 - and α2 -adrenoceptors as well as imidazoline I1 and I2 receptors. The most active 1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indoles displayed high or moderate affinities for α1 - and α2 -adrenoceptors and substantial selectivity for α2 -adrenoceptors over imidazoline-I1 binding sites. The in vivo cardiovascular properties of indole derivatives 3 revealed that substitution at C-7 position of the indole ring may result in compounds with high cardiovascular activity. Among them, 7-fluoro congener 3g showed the most pronounced hypotensive and bradycardic activities in this experiment at a dose as low as 10 µg/kg i.v. Metabolic stability of the selected compounds of type 3 was determined using both in vitro and in silico approaches. The results indicated that these compounds are not vulnerable to rapid first-phase oxidative metabolism.

1-[(IMIDAZOLIN-2-YL)AMINO]INDOLINE AND 1-[(IMIDAZOLIN-2 YL)AMINO] 1,2,3,4-TETRAHYDROQUINOLINE DERIVATIVES: NEW INSIGHTS INTO THEIR CIRCULATORY ACTIVITIES.

N-[(Imidazolin-2-yl)amino]indolines and N-[(imidazolin-2-yl)amino]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, previously described in patent literature as hypertensive agents, were synthesized and tested in viny for their affinities to α1- and α2-adrenoceptors as well as imidazoline I, and I2 receptors. The compounds most potent at either α1- or α2-adrenoceptors were administered intravenously to normotensive Wistar rats to determine their effects on mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Upon intravenous administration at dose of 0.1 mg/kg to normotensive male Wistar rats, the initial transient pressor effect was followed by long-lasting hypotension and bradycardia. In view of the above results the 1-[(imidazolin-2-yl)amino]indolines and [(imidazolin-2-yl)amino]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines are now found to possess circulatory profile characteristic of the centrally acting clonidine-like hypotensive imidazolines.

Harmane: an atypical neurotransmitter?

Harmane is an active component of clonidine displacing substance and a candidate endogenous ligand for imidazoline binding sites. The neurochemistry of tritiated harmane was investigated in the present study examining its uptake and release properties in the rat brain central nervous system (CNS) in vitro. At physiological temperature, [(3)H]harmane was shown to be taken up in rat brain cortex. Further investigations demonstrated that treatment with monoamine uptake blockers (citalopram, nomifensine and nisoxetine) did not alter [(3)H]harmane uptake implicating that the route of [(3)H]harmane transport was distinct from the monoamine uptake systems. Furthermore, imidazoline ligands (rilmenidine, efaroxan, 2-BFI and idazoxan) showed no prominent effect on [(3)H]harmane uptake suggesting the lack of involvement of imidazoline binding sites. Subsequent analyses showed that disruption of the Na(+) gradient using ouabain or choline chloride did not block [(3)H]harmane uptake suggesting a Na(+)-independent transport mechanism. Moreover, higher temperatures (50°C) failed to impede [(3)H]harmane uptake implying a non-physiological transporter. The failure of potassium to evoke the release of preloaded [(3)H]harmane from rat brain cortex indicates that the properties of this putative endogenous ligand for imidazoline binding sites do not resemble that of a conventional neurotransmitter.

The modulatory action of harmane on serotonergic neurotransmission in rat brain.

The naturally occurring ß-carboline, harmane, has been implicated in various physiological and psychological conditions. Some of these effects are attributed to its interaction with monoaminergic systems. Previous literature indicates that certain ß-carbolines including harmane modulate central monoamine levels partly through monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition. However, this is not always the case and thus additional mechanisms may be involved. This study set to assess the potential modulatory role of harmane on the basal or K(+) stimulated release of preloaded radiolabelled noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in rat brain cortex in vitro in the presence of the MAO inhibitor pargyline. Harmane displayed an overt elevation in K(+) -evoked [(3)H]5-HT release; whilst little and no effect was reported with [(3)H]DA and [(3)H]NA respectively. The effect of harmane on [(3)H]5-HT efflux was partially compensated in K(+)-free medium. Further analyses demonstrated that removal of Ca(2+) ions and addition of 1.2mM EGTA did not alter the action of harmane on [(3)H]5-HT release from rat brain cortex. The precise mechanism of action however remains unclear but is unlikely to reflect an involvement of MAO inhibition. The current finding aids our understanding on the modulatory action of harmane on monoamine levels and could potentially be of therapeutic use in psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Fluorinated analogues of marsanidine, a highly α2-AR/imidazoline I1 binding site-selective hypotensive agent. Synthesis and biological activities.

The aim of these studies was to establish the influence of fluorination of the indazole ring on the pharmacological properties of two selective α2-adrenoceptor (α2-AR) agonists: 1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indazole (marsanidine, A) and its methylene analogue 1-[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl]-1H-indazole (B). Introduction of fluorine into the indazole ring of A and B reduced both binding affinity and α2-AR/I1 imidazoline binding site selectivity. The most α2-AR-selective ligands were 6-fluoro-1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indazole (6c) and 7-fluoro-1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indazole (6d). The in vivo cardiovascular properties of fluorinated derivatives of A and B revealed that in both cases the C-7 fluorination leads to compounds with the highest hypotensive and bradycardic activities. The α2-AR partial agonist 6c was prepared as a potential lead compound for development of a radiotracer for PET imaging of brain α2-ARs.

Modulation of resistance artery tone by the trace amine ß-phenylethylamine: dual indirect sympathomimetic and α1-adrenoceptor blocking actions.

The trace amine ß-phenylethylamine (PEA) is normally present in the body at low nanomolar concentrations but can reach micromolar levels after ingestion of drugs that inhibit monoamine oxidase and primary amine oxidase. In vivo, PEA elicits a robust pressor response, but there is no consensus regarding the underlying mechanism, with both vasodilation and constriction reported in isolated blood vessels. Using functional and biochemical approaches, we found that at low micromolar concentrations PEA (1-30 µM) enhanced nerve-evoked vasoconstriction in the perfused rat mesenteric bed but at a higher concentration (100 µM) significantly inhibited these responses. The α2-adrenoceptor antagonist rauwolscine (1 µM) also enhanced nerve-mediated vasoconstriction, but in the presence of both rauwolscine (1 µM) and PEA (30 µM) together, nerve-evoked responses were initially potentiated and then showed time-dependent rundown. PEA (10 and 100 µM) significantly increased noradrenaline outflow from the mesenteric bed as determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. In isolated endothelium-denuded arterial segments, PEA (1 µM to 1 mM) caused concentration-dependent reversal of tone elicited by the α1-adrenoceptor agonists noradrenaline (EC50 51.69 ± 10.8 µM; n = 5), methoxamine (EC50 68.21 ± 1.70 µM; n = 5), and phenylephrine (EC50 67.74 ± 16.72 µM; n = 5) but was ineffective against tone induced by prostaglandin F2 α or U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-9α,11α-methanoepoxyprostaglandin F2 α). In rat brain homogenates, PEA displaced binding of both [(3)H]prazosin (Ki ≈ 25 µM) and [(3)H]rauwolscine (Ki ≈ 1.2 µM), ligands for α1- and α2-adrenoceptors, respectively. These data provide the first demonstration that dual indirect sympathomimetic and α1-adrenoceptor blocking actions underlie the vascular effects of PEA in resistance arteries.

Venlafaxine enhances the effect of bupropion on extracellular dopamine in rat frontal cortex.

Venlafaxine is recognised as an effective treatment for depression and is known to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA). Another antidepressant, bupropion, acts to inhibit dopamine (DA) and NA reuptake and is commonly co-administered with other antidepressants to improve the efficacy of the antidepressant effect. The present study was designed to investigate the acute effect of combining the 2 drugs on extracellular levels of 5-HT, DA, and NA in rat frontal cortex using brain microdialysis, with the drugs being administered by intraperitoneal injection (i.p). Bupropion (10 mg/kg body mass, i.p.) alone had no effect on extracellular 5-HT levels, whereas venlafaxine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) alone significantly elevated extracellular 5-HT over basal values. As expected, bupropion alone elevated extracellular dopamine above basal values at 40 min post-drug administration, and this effect lasted for a further 2 h. Venlafaxine alone did not statistically elevate extracellular dopamine. The co-administration of venlafaxine with bupropion resulted in a dramatic increase in extracellular dopamine, and this effect was significantly greater than that seen with bupropion alone. In the frontal cortex, NA was elevated by bupropion alone and venlafaxine alone, relative to the control animals. The combination of bupropion and venlafaxine resulted in a marked elevation of NA.

Evaluation and initial in vitro and ex vivo characterization of the potential positron emission tomography ligand, BU99008 (2-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-1- methyl-1H-indole), for the imidazoline2 binding site.

The density of the Imidazoline2 binding site (I2BS) has been shown to change in psychiatric conditions such as depression and addiction, along with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's chorea. The presence of I2BS on glial cells and the possibility that they may in some way regulate glial fibrillary acidic protein has led to increased interest into the role of I2BS and I2BS ligands in conditions characterized by marked gliosis. In addition, it has been suggested that I2BS may be a marker for human glioblastomas. Therefore, the development of a positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand for the I2BS would be of major benefit in our understanding of these conditions. We now report the successful synthesis and initial pharmacological evaluation of potential PET radioligands for the I2BS as well as the tritiation and characterization of the most favorable of the series, BU99008 (6), both in vitro and ex vivo in rat. The series as a whole demonstrated excellent affinity and selectivity for the I2BS, with BU99008 (6) selected as the lead candidate to be taken forward for in vivo assessment. BU99008 (6) showed very good affinity for the I2BS (K(i) of 1.4 nM; K(d) = 1.3 nM), good selectivity compared with the α2 -adrenoceptor (909-fold). In addition, following peripheral administration, [³H]BU99008 demonstrated a heterogenous uptake into the rat brain consistent with the known distribution of the I2BS in vivo. This, and the amenability of BU99008 (6) to radiolabeling with a positron-emitting radioisotope, indicates its potential as a PET radioligand for imaging the I2BS in vivo.

Favourable involvement of α2A-adrenoreceptor antagonism in the I2-imidazoline binding sites-mediated morphine analgesia enhancement.

Aim of the present study was to obtain novel α(2)-adrenoreceptor (α(2)-AR) antagonists, possibly endowed with subtype-selectivity. Therefore, inspired by the non subtype-selective α(2)-AR antagonist idazoxan, we designed 1,4-dioxane derivatives bearing an aromatic area in position 5 or 6 and the imidazoline nucleus in position 2. Among the novel molecules 1-6, compound 2, with a trans stereochemical relationship between 5-phenyl and 2-imidazoline groups, was able to antagonize the sole α(2A)-subtype. Moreover, 2 showed an affinity at I(2)-imidazoline binding sites (I(2)-IBS) comparable to that at α(2A)-AR. In in vivo studies 2 strongly increased morphine analgesia. This interesting behaviour appeared to be induced by the favourable involvement of α(2A)-AR antagonism in the I(2)-IBS-mediated morphine analgesia enhancement.

New imidazoline/α(2)-adrenoceptors affecting compounds-4(5)-(2-aminoethyl)imidazoline (dihydrohistamine) derivatives. Synthesis and receptor affinity studies.

Compilation of agmatine structure and imidazoline moiety leads to a new group of imidazoline/α(2)-adrenoceptor ligands, 4(5)-(2-aminoethyl)imidazoline derivatives. In this study the exploration of previously unknown 4(5)-(2-aminoethyl)imidazolines including the analogues of reported imidazoline and α(2)-aderenoceptors ligands: clonidine, rilmenidine, idazoxan, efaroxan, antazoline, tracizoline is described. The synthesis of a variety of novel 4(5)-(2-aminoethyl)imidazolines and their I(1), I(2), α(2)-adrenoceptors affinities are reported.

3-[(Imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]indazole ligands with selectivity for the α(2)-adrenoceptor compared to the imidazoline I(1) receptor.

A series of 3-[(4,5-dihydroimidazolidin-2-yl)imino]indazoles has been synthesized as positional analogues of marsanidine, a highly selective α(2)-adrenoceptor ligand. Parent compound 4a and its 4-chloro (4c) and 4-methyl (4d) derivatives display α(2)-adrenoceptor affinity at nanomolar concentrations (K(i)=39.4, 15.9 and 22.6nM, respectively) and relatively high α(2)/I(1) selectivity ratios of 82, 115 and 690, respectively. Evidence was obtained that these compounds act as partial agonists at α(2A)-adrenoceptors. Compound 4d with intrinsic activity comparable with that of marsanidine, but lower than that of clonidine, elicited pronounced cardiovascular effects in anesthetized rats at doses as low as 0.01mg/kg iv.

Synthesis and biological activity of some 2-imidazolinylhydrazone derivatives.

A series of N-(imidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazones and N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-N-methylhydrazones were prepared and examined for alpha 1-, alpha 2-adrenergic and imidazoline I1, I2 receptors binding affinities as well as cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines. Among the compounds tested, 2-naphthaldehyde N-(imidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazone (3e) exhibited a significant affinity for both alpha 2-adrenergic and imidazoline I1 receptors (Ki = 94.3 nM and IC50 = 51.7 nM, respectively). Moreover, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde N-(imidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazone (3l) showed the highest binding affinity to alpha 1-adrenoceptors (Ki = 24.6 nM), while quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde N-(imidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazone (3m) displayed the highest I2 affinity with a Ki value of 26.7 nM and a high selectivity with respect to alpha 2-adrenergic and imidazoline I1 receptors (Ki = 22470.0 nM and IC50 = 6145.0 nM, respectively). None of the tested N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-N-methylhydrazones 4p-u displayed cytotoxic activity.

Identification of an imidazoline binding protein: creatine kinase and an imidazoline-2 binding site.

Drugs that bind to imidazoline binding proteins have major physiological actions. To date, three subtypes of such proteins, I(1), I(2) and I(3), have been proposed, although characterisations of these binding proteins are lacking. I(2) binding sites are found throughout the brain, particularly dense in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Selective I(2) ligands demonstrate antidepressant-like activity and the identity of the proteins that respond to such ligands remained unknown until now. Here we report the isolation of a approximately 45 kDa imidazoline binding protein from rabbit and rat brain using a high affinity ligand for the I(2) subtype, 2-BFI, to generate an affinity column. Following protein sequencing of the isolated approximately 45 kDa imidazoline binding protein, we identified it to be brain creatine kinase (B-CK). B-CK shows high binding capacity to selective I(2) ligands; [(3)H]-2-BFI (5 nM) specifically bound to B-CK (2330+/-815 fmol mg protein(-1)). We predicted an I(2) binding pocket near the active site of B-CK using molecular modelling. Furthermore, B-CK activity was inhibited by a selective I(2) irreversible ligand, where 20 microM BU99006 reduced the enzyme activity by 16%, confirming the interaction between B-CK and the I(2) ligand. In summary, we have identified B-CK to be the approximately 45 kDa imidazoline binding protein and we have demonstrated the existence of an I(2) binding site within this enzyme. The importance of B-CK in regulating neuronal activity and neurotransmitter release may well explain the various actions of I(2) ligands in brain and the alterations in densities of I(2) binding sites in psychiatric disorders.

2-[(Arylmethoxy)imino]imidazolidines with potential biological activities.

A series of 2-[(arylmethoxy)imino]imidazolidines was synthesized by reacting 2-chloro-4,5-dihydroimidazole with corresponding O-arylmethylhydroxylamines and evaluated for their alpha-, alpha2-adrenergic and imidazoline I1, I2 receptor binding affinities. The most potent 2-[(naphthalen-1-ylmethoxy)imino]imidazolidine showed a high selectivity and good affinity for the [3H]prazosin-labeled alpha1-adrenoceptors (K(i) = 107 nM). Representative compounds of this series were also tested in vivo for possible circulatory effects in rats after intravenous administration.

New analogues of agmatine with higher affinity to imidazoline receptors.

Compilation of agmatine structure and imidazoline ring leads to a new family of imidazoline/alpha(2)-adrenoceptor ligands, 4(5)-(2-aminoethyl)imidazoline derivatives. Constraining of the guanidine moiety into heterocyclic ring improved the affinities of the resultant fusion compounds in comparison to agmatine itself. In this work, the synthetic approach and results for I(1), I(2), and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors affinities are reported.

Bioactive contaminants leach from disposable laboratory plasticware.

Disposable plasticware such as test tubes, pipette tips, and multiwell assay or culture plates are used routinely in most biological research laboratories. Manufacturing of plastics requires the inclusion of numerous chemicals to enhance stability, durability, and performance. Some lubricating (slip) agents, exemplified by oleamide, also occur endogenously in humans and are biologically active, and cationic biocides are included to prevent bacterial colonization of the plastic surface. We demonstrate that these manufacturing agents leach from laboratory plasticware into a standard aqueous buffer, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methanol and can have profound effects on proteins and thus on results from bioassays of protein function. These findings have far-reaching implications for the use of disposable plasticware in biological research.

1-[(Imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]indazole. Highly alpha 2/I1 selective agonist: synthesis, X-ray structure, and biological activity.

Novel benzazole derivatives bearing a (imidazolidin-2-yl)imino moiety at position 1 or 2 were synthesized by reacting 1-amino- or 2-aminobenzazoles with N, N'-bis( tert-butoxycarbonyl)imidazolidine-2-thione in the presence of HgCl 2. Structures of 1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]indazole (marsanidine, 13a) and free base of the 4-Cl derivative 12e were confirmed by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. Compound 13a was found to be the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor ligand with alpha 2-adrenoceptor/imidazoline I 1 receptor selectivity ratio of 3879, while 1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-7-methylindazole ( 13k) proved to be a mixed alpha 2-adrenoceptor/imidazoline I 1 receptor agonist with alpha 2/I 1 selectivity ratio of 7.2. Compound 13k when administered intravenously to male Wistar rats induced a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (ED50 = 0.6 microg/kg) and heart rate, which was attenuated following pretreatment with alpha 2A-adrenoceptor antagonist RX821002. Compound 13a may find a variety of medical uses ascribed to alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, and its 7-methyl derivative 13k is a good candidate for development as a centrally acting antihypertensive drug.

The effect of 1-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl) isoquinoline on monoamine release and turnover in the rat frontal cortex.

Imidazoline-(2) binding sites (I(2)-BS) are widely distributed in rat brain and our studies have shown that drugs selective for these sites regulate central extrasynaptic monoamine concentrations. Radioligand binding studies have recently shown that BU98008 (1-[4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl] isoquinoline) displays high affinity at I(2)-binding sites. The aim of this study was set to assess the pharmacological actions of BU98008 in a functional in vivo model using the technique of in vivo brain microdialysis. Systemic injection of 20 mg/kg BU98008 produced an 85% rise in extracellular noradrenaline levels compared with basal values in the rat frontal cortex. Further experiments demonstrated that peripheral administration of 10 and 20 mg/kg BU98008 elicited a transient 25% elevation in dopamine overflow compared with basal values and simultaneously produced an 18% decrease in extracellular DOPAC (3-4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) levels compared to basal values. In addition, BU98008 did not appear to affect serotonergic neurotransmission in the frontal cortex. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that BU98008 shares some functional similarities with known selective I(2)-BS ligands.

In vitro and in vivo effect of BU99006 (5-isothiocyanato-2-benzofuranyl-2-imidazoline) on I2 binding in relation to MAO: evidence for two distinct I2 binding sites.

BU99006 is an irreversible I(2) ligand which selectively inactivates I(2) binding sites, making it an ideal tool with which to study I(2) site mechanism. We sought to determine the effects of BU99006 on I(2) binding in relation to monoamine oxidase (MAO), and the time course of these effects. In vitro, rat brain membranes that were pre-treated with 10 microM BU99006 showed no change in MAO activity, despite suffering a significant reduction in [(3)H]2BFI binding (52.5+/-19.6 to 8.5+/-3.8 fmol mg(-1), 84%). Furthermore, reversible I(2) ligands 2BFI and BU224 were able to inhibit MAO, whether treated with BU99006 or not. In vivo, a 5 mg kg(-1) i.v. dose of BU99006 in rats rapidly reduced [(3)H]2BFI binding with similar magnitude (85%, maximal reduction after 20 min), without effect on either MAO activity or the specific binding of selective MAO-A and MAO-B radioligands. Moreover, following this irreversible treatment, recovery of central [(3)H]2BFI binding occurred with a rapid half-life of 4.3 h in rat brain (2.0 h in mouse), which is not consistent with a site on MAO. These data indicate that the high affinity site which is occupied by [(3)H]2BFI and irreversibly binds BU99006, is not the same as that which causes inhibition of MAO, and may point to the existence of another I(2) binding site.

2-(4,5-Dihydroimidazol-2-yl)benzimidazoles as highly selective imidazoline I2/adrenergic alpha2 receptor ligands.

2-(4,5-Dihydroimidazol-2-yl)benzimidazoles have been identified as selective imidazoline I2/alpha2-adrenoceptor ligands. 4-Methyl (2) and 4-chloro (4) derivatives display I2 affinity at nanomolar concentration (Ki=4.4 and 17.7 nM, respectively) and high I2/alpha2 selectivity ratio=4226 and 5649, respectively. An evidence has been obtained that pKa value influences considerably the I2/alpha2-selectivity ratio of this class of imidazoline I2 receptor ligands.