Development of new hydroxamate matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors derived from functionalized 4-aminoprolines.

A series of hydroxamates was prepared from an aminoproline scaffold and tested for efficacy as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors. Detailed SAR for the series is reported for five enzymes within the MMP family, and a number of inhibitors, such as compound 47, display broad-spectrum activity with sub-nanomolar potency for some enzymes. Modifications of the P1' portion of the molecule played a key role in affecting both potency and selectivity within the MMP family. Longer-chain aliphatic substituents in this region of the molecule tended to increase potency for MMP-3 and decrease potency for MMP-1, as exemplified by compounds 48-50, while aromatic substituents, as in compound 52, generated broad-spectrum inhibition. The data is rationalized based upon X-ray crystal data which is also presented. While the in vitro peroral absorption seemed to be less predictable, it tended to decrease with longer and more hydrophilic substituents. Finally, a rat model of osteoarthritis was used to evaluate the efficacy of these compounds, and a direct link was established between their pharmacokinetics and their in vivo efficacy.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors derived from a modified proline scaffold.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of a series of proline-based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors are described. The data reveal a remarkable potency enhancement in those compounds that contain an sp(2) center at the C-4 carbon of the ring relative to similar, saturated compounds. This effect was noted in compounds that contained a functionalized oxime moiety or an exomethylene at C-4, and the potencies were typically <10 nM for MMP-3 and <100 nM for MMP-1. Comparisons were then made against compounds with similar functionality where the C-4 carbon was reduced to sp(3) hybridization and the effect was typically an order of magnitude loss in potency. A comparison of compounds 14 and 34 exemplifies this observation. An X-ray structure was obtained for a stromelysin-inhibitor complex which provided insights into the SAR and selectivity trends observed within the series. In vitro intestinal permeability data for many compounds was also accumulated.

Improved prediction of in vivo peroral absorption from in vitro intestinal permeability using an internal standard to control for intra- and inter-rat variability.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of an in vitro intestinal permeability model to predict rat and human absorption as well as to evaluate the use of an internal standard to control for intra- and inter-rat variability. METHODS: In vivo peroral absorption and in vitro steady-state intestinal permeability coefficients were determined in the rat for a variety of structurally different compounds with different physicochemical properties including: progesterone, hydrocortisone, salicylic acid, caffeine, clonidine, p-aminoclonidine, UK-14304, oxymetazoline, mannitol, PEG 900, PEG 4000, and a number of novel hydrophilic chemical entities. RESULTS: The intestinal permeability coefficients determined in vitro could be used to predict the peroral absorption of a compound in both the rat and human. Normalizing the permeability of a test compound to an internal standard, e.g. mannitol, greatly improved the prediction of peroral absorption. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an internal standard can aid in the prediction of the peroral absorption of a test compound, in particular, for one that has moderate absorption in the range of 20-80%. Moreover, these methods would appear to be a useful means to improve the prediction of other absorption models as well, such as the Caco-2 cell systems and in-situ perfusion methods.