Diamino benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as a novel class of active site directed thrombin inhibitors. 5. Potency, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of modified C-3 side chain derivatives.

A systematic investigation of the structure-activity relationships of the C-3 side chain of the screening hit 1a led to the identification of the potent thrombin inhibitors 23c, 28c, and 31c. Their activities (1240, 903, and 1271 x 10(6) L/mol, respectively) represent 2200- and 2900-fold increases in potency over the starting lead 1a. This activity enhancement was accomplished with an increase of thrombin selectivity. The in vitro anticoagulant profiles of derivatives 28c and 31c were determined, and they compare favorably with the clinical agent H-R-1-[4aS, 8aS]perhydroisoquinolyl-prolyl-arginyl aldehyde (D-Piq-Pro-Arg-H; 32). The more potent members of this series have been studied in an arterial/venous shunt (AV shunt) model of thrombosis and were found to be efficacious in reducing clot formation. However, their efficacy is currently limited by their rapid and extensive distribution following administration.

Dibasic benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as a novel class of active site directed thrombin inhibitors: 2. Sidechain optimization and demonstration of in vivo efficacy.

Potent, subnanomolar thrombin inhibitors 4, 5, and 6 are developed through side chain optimization of novel, benzo[b]thiophene-based small organic entities 2 and 3 and through SAR additivity studies of the new structural elements identified. X-ray crystallographic studies of 4b-thrombin complex revealed a hydrophobic and an electrostatic interaction of these new elements with thrombin at the S2 and S3 binding sites. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies showed that 4, 5, and 6 are potent anticoagulants in human plasma with demonstrated antithrombotic efficacy in a rat model of thrombosis.

Pharmacology of LY315920/S-5920, [[3-(aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1- (phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl]oxy] acetate, a potent and selective secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitor: A new class of anti-inflammatory drugs, SPI.

LY315920 is a potent, selective inhibitor of recombinant human, group IIA, nonpancreatic secretory PLA2 (sPLA2). In a chromogenic isolated enzyme assay, LY315920 inhibited sPLA2 activity with an IC50 of 9 +/- 1 nM or 7.3 x 10(-6) mole fraction, which approached the stiochiometric limit of this assay. The true potency of LY315920 was defined using a deoxycholate/phosphatidylcholine assay with a mole fraction of 1.5 x 10(-6). LY315920 was 40-fold less active against human, group IB, pancreatic sPLA2 and was inactive against cytosolic PLA2 and the constitutive and inducible forms of cyclooxygenase. Human sPLA2-induced release of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) from isolated guinea pig lung bronchoalveolar lavage cells was inhibited by LY315920 with an IC50 of 0.79 microM. The release of TXA2 from these cells by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or arachidonic acid was not inhibited. The i.v. administration of LY315920, 5 min before harvesting the bronchoalveolar lavage cells, resulted in the inhibition of sPLA2-induced production of TXA2 with an ED50 of 16.1 mg/kg. Challenge of guinea pig lung pleural strips with sPLA2 produced contractile responses that were suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner by LY315920 with an apparent KB of 83 +/- 14 nM. Contractile responses induced by arachidonic acid were not altered. Intravenous or oral administration of LY315920 to transgenic mice expressing the human sPLA2 protein inhibited serum sPLA2 activity in a dose-related manner over a 4-h time course. LY315920 is a potent and selective sPLA2 inhibitor and represents a new class of anti-inflammatory agent designated SPI. This agent is currently undergoing clinical evaluation and should help to define the role of sPLA2 in various inflammatory disease states.

Pharmacologic actions of the second-generation leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist LY293111: in vitro studies.

The in vitro actions were investigated of LY293111, a potent and selective leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor antagonist, on human neutrophils, human blood fractions, guinea pig lung membranes, and guinea pig parenchymal and tracheal strips. The IC50 for inhibiting [3H]LTB4 binding to human neutrophils was 17.6 +/- 4.8 nM. LY293111 inhibited LTB4-induced human neutrophil aggregation (IC50 = 32 +/- 5 nM), luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (IC50 = 20 +/- 2 nM), chemotaxis (IC50 = 6.3 +/- 1.7 nM), and superoxide production by adherent cells (IC50 = 0.5 nM). Corresponding responses induced by N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine were inhibited by 100-fold higher concentrations of LY293111. LTB4 binding to guinea pig tissues and subsequent activation were also inhibited. The Ki for inhibition of [3H]LTB4 binding to lung membranes was 7.1 +/- 0.8 nM; IC50 for preventing binding of [3H]LTB4 to spleen membranes was 65 nM. The compound inhibited LTB4-induced contraction of guinea pig lung parenchyma. At 10 nM, LY293111 caused a parallel rightward shift of the LTB4 concentration-response curve. At higher concentrations, plots were shifted in a nonparallel manner, and maximum responses were depressed. LY293111 did not prevent antigen-stimulated contraction of sensitized trachea strips. At micromolar concentrations, LY293111 inhibited production of LTB4 and thromboxane B2 by plasma-depleted human blood stimulated with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine and thrombin. In addition, at these higher concentrations, formation of LTB4 by A23187-activated whole blood and conversion of arachidonic acid to LTB4 by a human neutrophil cytosolic fraction were inhibited. In summary, LY293111 is a second-generation LTB4 receptor antagonist with much improved potency in a variety of functional assay systems.

High-affinity aptamers selectively inhibit human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2 (hnps-PLA2).

A family of sequence-related 2'-aminopyrimidine, 2'-hydroxylpurine aptamers, developed by oligonucleotide-based combinatorial chemistry, SELEX (systematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment) technology, binds human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2 (hnps-PLA2) with nanomolar affinities and inhibits enzymatic activity. Aptamer 15, derived from the family, binds hnps-PLA2 with a Kd equal to 1.7 +/- 0.2 nM and, in a standard chromogenic assay of enzymatic activity, inhibits hnps-PLA2 with an IC50 of 4 nM, at a mole fraction of substrate concentration of 4 x 10(-6) and a calculated Ki of 0.14 nM. Aptamer 15 is selective for hnps-PLA2, having a 25- and 2500-fold lower affinity, respectively, for the unrelated proteins human neutrophil elastase and human IgG. Contractions of guinea pig lung pleural strips induced by hnps-PLA2 are abolished by 0.3 microM aptamer 15, whereas contractions induced by arachidonic acid are not altered. The structure that is essential for binding and inhibition appears to be a 40-base hairpin/loop motif with an asymmetrical internal loop. The affinity and activity of the aptamers demonstrate the ability of the SELEX process to isolate antagonists of nonnucleic-acid-binding proteins from vast oligonucleotide combinatorial libraries.

The American Heart Association. Focus on public advocacy issues.

The American Heart Association is a large volunteer organization whose mission is to reduce disability and death due to heart disease and stroke. However, working in isolation, the Association has limited potential to achieve its goals. We must work as individuals, as an organization, and in coalition with other organizations to direct major public policy issues. Only in this way can we bring about substantial change on a national level. Some public advocacy accomplishments, and major priorities for the present and future, are reviewed. Readers are invited to lend their support.

Indole inhibitors of human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2. 2. Indole-3-acetamides with additional functionality.

As reported in our previous paper, a series of indole-3-acetamides which possessed potency and selectivity as inhibitors of human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2(hnps-PLA2) was developed. The design of these compounds was based on information derived from x-ray crystal structures determined for complexes between the enzyme and its inhibitors. We describe here the further implementation of this structure-based design strategy and continued SAR development to produce indole-3-acetamides with additional functionalities which provide increased interaction with important residues within the enzyme active site. These efforts led to inhibitors with substantially enhanced potency and selectivity.

Indole inhibitors of human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2. 3. Indole-3-glyoxamides.

The preceding papers of this series detail the development of functionalized indole-3-acetamides as inhibitors of hnps-PLA2. We describe here the extension of the structure-activity relationship to include a series of indole-3-glyoxamide derivatives. Functionalized indole-3-glyoxamides with an acidic substituent appended to the 4- or 5-position of the indole ring were prepared and tested as inhibitors of hnps-PLA2. It was found that the indole-3-glyoxamides with a 4-oxyacetic acid substituent had optimal inhibitory activity. These inhibitors exhibited an improvement in potency over the best of the indole-3-acetamides, and LY315920 (6m) was selected for evaluation clinically as an hnps-PLA2 inhibitor.

Indole inhibitors of human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2. 1. Indole-3-acetamides.

Phospholipases (PLAs) produce rate-limiting precursors in the biosynthesis of various types of biologically active lipids involved in inflammatory processes. Increased levels of human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2 (hnps-PLA2) have been detected in several pathological conditions. An inhibitor of this enzyme could have therapeutic utility. A broad screening program was carried out to identify chemical structures which could inhibit hnps-PLA2. One of the lead compounds generated by the screening program was 5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-acetic acid (13a). We describe the syntheses, structure--activity relationships, and pharmacological activities of a series of indole-3-acetamides and related compounds derived from this lead. This SAR was undertaken with the aid of X-ray crystal structures of complexes between the inhibitors and hnps-PLA2 which were of great value in directing the SAR.

Recombinant human secretory phospholipase A2 released thromboxane from guinea pig bronchoalveolar lavage cells: in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of a novel secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitor.

The primary objective of this study was to develop a functional assay that could provide rapid and reliable information on some pharmacologic characteristics of a novel inhibitor of human secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2). Guinea pig bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, containing predominantly macrophages, eosinophils and epithelial cells, released thromboxane A2, as measured by thromboxane B2, in a concentration-dependent manner on exposure to recombinant human sPLA2 (rh-sPLA2). Similarly, n-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (n-F-Met-Leu-Phe) or arachidonic acid also released this lipid mediator. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, blocked synthesis of thromboxane in response to these agents. p-Bromophenacylbromide-inactivated rh-sPLA2 was substantially less effective than the untreated enzyme in causing release of thromboxane. LY311727 is a potent indole-derived inhibitor of the isolated enzyme (IC50 = 23 nM). Incubation of this agent with BAL cells, just before addition of rh-sPLA2, reduced release of thromboxane with an IC50 = 1.8 x 10(-6) M. Specificity for sPLA2 was demonstrated in that LY311727, unlike indomethacin, did not reduce synthesis and subsequent release of thromboxane A2 in response to arachidonic acid. Using this technique as a basis, we determined whether LY311727 could sufficiently accumulate in lung after i.v. administration to inhibit rh-sPLA2-induced thromboxane A2 release from BAL cells. The compound, given i.v. to guinea pigs 5 min before collecting BAL fluid, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of rh-sPLA2 with an ED50 = 50 mg/kg. Thus, new in vitro and ex vivo assays were developed that permit functional evaluation of novel sPLA2 inhibitors. These techniques should serve as secondary assays for evaluation of human sPLA2 inhibitory activity from a chemical series and in addition provide initial data related to metabolic stability and distribution to the lung.

Transgenic model for the discovery of novel human secretory non-pancreatic phospholipase A2 inhibitors.

Transgenic mice were created which overexpress human secretory non-pancreatic phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) pansomatically as a potential disease and drug-testing model. The mice were produced using a DNA construct in which the inducible mouse metallothionein gene promoter drives expression of a human sPLA2 minigene. High levels of sPLA2 were detected in several tissues by immunofluorescence localization. Expression in the testes caused hypospermia and male infertility. Circulating catalytically active sPLA2 could be induced to levels observed in patients undergoing a systemic inflammatory response but had no detectable effect on the mice. Therefore, these results suggest that sPLA2 hyperphospholipasemia alone may have only limited pathophysiological consequences. We further show that 3-[3-acetamide-1-benzyl-2-ethylindolyl-5-oxy]propane phosphonic acid LY311727), a potent new inhibitor of phospholipase A2 catalysis developed by our group, dramatically suppresses the circulating enzyme activity in these animals whereas 3-[3-acetamide-1-benzyl-2-propylindolyl-5-oxy]propane phosphonic acid (LY314024), a substantially less potent LY311727 analog, is without effect. These later results thus motivate the further development of this compound as a potential new therapeutic agent and valuable research tool.

Bronchopulmonary actions of 1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylenyl)-1H-imidazole, nitric acid salt (LY150310), a substituted imidazole, in the guinea pig.

1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylenyl)-1H-imidazole, nitric acid salt (LY150310), was examined for bronchodilator activity in the guinea pig. In guinea pig tracheal preparations, LY150310 competitively antagonized the contractile effects of exogenous histamine and blocked the histamine-mediated component of contractions produced by ovalbumin challenge. LY150310 had little effect on the nonhistamine component of ovalbumin-induced contractions of lung parenchymal strips, but it enhanced the production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGF2 alpha although it partially inhibited thromboxane B2 formation. In other studies, in which postmortem pulmonary gas trapping was used as an index of in vivo airway obstruction, i.v. LY150310 dose-dependently inhibited the bronchospasm produced by aerosols of the divalent cationic ionophore A23187, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, leukotriene D4, methacholine, ovalbumin or platelet activating factor. LY150310 was equal to or more potent than aminophylline in all test systems. Also, orally administered LY150310 inhibited the airway obstruction produced by selected challenge aerosols. In ex vivo studies, LY150310 elevated PGE2 and tended to decrease thromboxane B2 in sodium arachidonate-stimulated whole blood. However, PGE2 and other cyclooxygenase products did not appear to account for in vivo bronchodilation, because combining LY150310 and piroxicam did not alter inhibition of A23187-induced airway obstruction. Our results demonstrate that LY150310 reduces airway obstruction caused by a variety of bronchoconstrictive agents, including A23187 and ovalbumin. Although this substituted imidazole appears to have activity as a histamine H1-receptor antagonist and can alter prostanoid concentrations in vitro and in vivo, its mode of bronchodilation is unclear.

Characterization of the contractile effects of human recombinant nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and other PLA2s on guinea pig lung pleural strips.

Contractile activities of nPLA2, pPLA2 and hPLA2 were characterized on pleural strips of guinea pig lung. The rank order of potency for these PLA2s was nPLA2 > pPLA2 > hPLA2. The concentration-related contractions induced by nPLA2 (0.0002-0.67 micrograms/ml), pPLA2 (0.006-20 micrograms/ml) and hPLA2 (0.1-30 micrograms/ml) appear to be mediated primarily by the formation of cyclooxygenase products and to a lesser extent by 5-lipoxygenase products, as revealed by experiments using indomethacin and BW A4C. To further support a PLA2-related mechanism, the selectivity and inhibitory effects of two irreversible PLA2 inhibitors, parabromophenacyl bromide (pBPB) and manoalogue, were evaluated against the contractile responses induced by each PLA2. Various concentrations of manoalogue and pBPB were incubated with individual PLA2s for 24 hr before initiating experiments. Both agents suppressed each PLA2-induced contractile activity in a concentration-related manner. The inhibitory effects of pBPB were similar at the highest concentration, whereas manoalogue was more effective in blocking contractions induced by pPLA2 and hPLA2. Conversely, methylated manoalogue, an inactive analog, failed to reduce the PLA2-induced contractions. These results demonstrate that hPLA2 has the ability to catalytically induce the release of arachidonic acid and the formation of proinflammatory eicosanoids that contract the pleural strips. This tissue bath preparation may be a useful model for the evaluation of novel PLA2 inhibitors as potentially useful therapeutic agents.

Evidence that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors can selectively block PLA2-mediated contractions of guinea pig lung pleural strips.

We have demonstrated previously that porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-induced contractions of guinea pig lung pleural strips can be abated by inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways, suggesting the liberation of arachidonic acid. To validate further the involvement of a PLA2-related mechanism, the effects of three known inhibitors of PLA2 were evaluated. Manoalogue, an irreversible inhibitor of PLA2, parabromophenacyl bromide, an irreversible, active site directed inhibitor and a transition-state analog, a competitive inhibitor of PLA2 were used. Transition-state analog (3-30 microM), added to the tissues for 30 min before PLA2, shifted the PLA2 curves to the right in a concentration-related manner. In contrast, the reported inactive enantiomer of transition-state analog failed to alter the PLA2 curves. Manoalogue and para-bromophenacyl bromide, at concentrations up to 40- and 50-fold higher than the enzyme concentration, respectively, were incubated in Krebs' buffer with the enzyme for 24 hr before challenging the tissues. Under these conditions, the PLA2-induced contractions were suppressed markedly. In contrast, neither reduced nor methylated manoalogue, incubated at a 20-fold molar excess with PLA2 for 24 hr, suppressed the maximal PLA2-induced responses. These results demonstrate that inhibitors of secretory PLA2, acting by different mechanisms, can alter the contractile responses induced by PLA2 on pleural strips from guinea pig lung.

1,3,6-trisubstituted indoles as peptidoleukotriene antagonists: benefits of a second, polar, pyrrole substituent.

1,6-Substituted and 3,5-substituted indoles and indazoles containing acylamino and N-arylsulfonyl amide appendages are potent antagonists of the peptidoleukotrienes LTD4 and LTE4. A compound from the 3,5-substituted indole series, N-[4-[[5-[[(cyclopentyloxy)carbonyl]amino]-1-methylindol- 3-yl]methyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl]-2-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (ICI 204,219), is undergoing clinical evaluation for asthma. Two new elements of structural diversity were introduced to this series of antagonists. An investigation of pyrrole substituents in the 1,6-substituted indoles demonstrated that substitution at C-2 was detrimental to biological activity, but the incorporation of hydrophilic groups at C-3 was beneficial. The introduction of a propionamide moiety at C-3 enhanced activity by 1 order of magnitude; N-[4-[[6-(cyclopentylacetamido)-3-[2-(N- methylcarbamoyl)ethyl]indol-1-yl]methyl]-3-methoxy- benzoyl]benzenesulfonamide (15c) has a pKB of 10.7 at the LTD4 receptor on guinea pig trachea. Modifications of the acylamino portion of the disubstituted antagonists demonstrated that a transposition of the amide CO and NH atoms was viable. N-Cyclopentylmethyl amides in both the 1,6- and 3,5-disubstituted indole series were 1 order of magnitude less potent than the corresponding cyclopentylacetamides. In both series this potency loss could be regained by the incorporation of a propionamide substituent at either C-3 or N-1, respectively. For example, N-[4-[[6-[N-(cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoyl]-3-[2-(pyrrolidin-1 - methylbenzenesulfonamide (39c) has a pKB of 9.5.

Porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2-induced contractions of guinea pig lung pleural strips.

The contractile nature of porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was characterized on paired pleural strips obtained from guinea pig lung. PLA2 (0.003-10 U/ml) produced concentration-related contractile responses which were sensitive to various drugs. The major component of the PLA2-induced contractions was derived from products of the cyclooxygenase pathway since a cyclooxygenase inhibitor or the combination of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor and a thromboxane receptor antagonist produced a 54-65% reduction of the contractile responses. 5-Lipoxygenase products contributed to a smaller component of the PLA2-induced responses since 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors or the combination of a leukotriene (LT) B4 receptor antagonist and an LTD4/LTE4 receptor antagonist only suppressed the maximal responses 22-32%. PLA2-induced contractile responses were nearly abolished by altering both sides of the arachidonic acid cascade simultaneously. In contrast, a PAF receptor antagonist, a histamine (H1) receptor antagonist and an acetylcholine receptor antagonist, failed to significantly reduce PLA2-induced responses. These results demonstrate that exogenous administration of porcine pancreatic PLA2 produced concentration-dependent contractions of pleural strips mediated through the generation of eicosanoids.

Guinea pig whole blood 5-lipoxygenase assay: utility in the assessment of potential 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

Guinea pigs are widely used in the study of the role of leukotrienes in airway pathophysiology. Extensive research efforts have utilized this species in the development of potential therapeutic agents associated with inhibition of leukotriene production (e.g. 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein antagonists) for the treatment of acute bronchospasm in asthma. We now report, for the first time, an ex vivo whole blood 5-lipoxygenase assay in guinea pigs which should prove useful in the future development of leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors. Addition of 150 microM arachidonic acid (AA) to heparinized whole blood for 5 min prior to the stimulation with 20 micrograms/mL A23187 resulted in a 10-fold increase in leukotriene B4 (LTB4; 11.36 +/- 1.55 ng/mL) above basal (0.96 +/- 0.29 ng/mL) within 10 min. To further validate the utility of the assay, we utilized the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor BW A4C. Pretreatment of guinea pig whole blood with BW A4C in vitro prior to stimulation resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of LTB4 production (IC50 = 229 nM), whereas thromboxane B2 (TXB2) production was unaffected. Likewise, when BW A4C was administered to guinea pigs intravenously (3 mg/kg), we observed a rapid and marked (approximately 90%) reduction in whole blood LTB4 production which returned to control (pre-drug values) by 5 hr. In contrast, TXB2 production was unaffected over the same experimental time period. In summary, we have described a whole blood assay which can discriminate 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, this assay system will be of use in determining the potency, efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacodynamic properties of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors in guinea pigs.

Relative potencies of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors on antigen-induced contractions of guinea pig tracheal strips.

A quantitative method to assess relative potencies (IC50) of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzyme inhibitors was established in antigen-induced contractions of tracheas isolated from actively sensitized guinea pigs (Schultz-Dale model). The relative potencies of four purported 5-LO inhibitors determined in this tissue assay were compared with those from a crude enzyme preparation isolated from guinea pig neutrophils. All compounds suppressed ovalbumin (OA)-induced tracheal contractions in a concentration-related manner in the presence of indomethacin and pyrilamine. IC50 Values, determined from the percent inhibition values obtained from responses at 30 ng/mL OA of these compounds ranged from 0.56-15 microM. A similar rank order of potency for inhibition of 5-HETE formation from a crude enzyme preparation was observed. This suggested that these agents had a common mechanism of action in the two assay systems and further validated the IC50 values determined in trachea assay. LY171883, an LTD4/LTE4 receptor antagonist, also suppressed OA-induced contractions concentration dependently with an IC50 of 4.9 microM determined by this method. LTD4 concentration-response curves were not altered by any of the four 5-LO inhibitors, ruling out the possibility that these agents were acting as LT receptor antagonists. Results of this study demonstrated that relative potencies of 5-LO inhibitors can be quantitatively assessed using this airway tissue model, which helps in identifying potential therapeutic agents for asthma.

Endogenously formed leukotriene C4 activates LTC4 receptors in guinea pig tracheal strips.

The bioconversion of leukotriene (LT) C4 to LTD4 via gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is clearly defined in guinea pig trachea. Acivicin, an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, was used to study the contractile responses elicited by either endogenously released or exogenously administered LTC4 and the antagonistic nature of LY 171883 and ICI 204,219, LTD4/LTE4 receptor antagonists, on guinea pig tracheal strips. Pretreating tracheal strips with acivicin resulted in a concentration-related, selective leftward shift in the LTC4 concentration-response curves. Potency of LTC4 was increased 3-fold. Likewise, antigen concentration response curves were potentiated in acivicin-pretreated tissues. Antagonism of LTC4 and antigen contractile responses by LY 171883 and ICI 204,219 were reduced or abolished by acivicin-pretreatment. In contrast, these receptor antagonists effectively blocked LTD4 responses in control and acivicin-pretreated tissues. The results demonstrated that inhibition of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase by acivicin blocked the bioconversion of LTC4 to LTD4 regardless of the source of LTC4. Data indicated that endogenously formed LTC4 was able to activate the LTC4 receptor in guinea pig tracheal strips.

A novel series of selective leukotriene antagonists: exploration and optimization of the acidic region in 1,6-disubstituted indoles and indazoles.

A systematic structure-activity exploration of the carboxylic acid region in a series of indole- or indazole-derived leukotriene antagonists 1 led to several discoveries. Use of the 3-methoxy-p-tolyl fragment (illustrated in acid 1) for connecting the indole and the acidic site provides the most potent carboxylic acids 1, tetrazoles 20, and aryl sulfonimides 21. The aryl sulfonimides are 5-500 times more potent (in vitro and/or in vivo) than the corresponding carboxylic acids 1. The o-tolyl sulfonimides such as 114 show greater oral potency than the phenyl sulfonimides at a given level of in vitro activity. Acidic keto sulfone derivatives 10 (Nu = CH-(CO2CH3)SO2Ph) mimic the activity of the sulfonimides.