In vivo characterization of novel full and partial 2-(4-aminophenyl)-N,N-dipropylethylamine dopamine D(2) receptor agonists.

Behavioral and biochemical techniques were used to compare the in vivo intrinsic efficacy of two new 2-(4-aminophenyl)-N, N-dipropylethylamine dopamine D(2) receptor agonists, 2-(4-amino-3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-N-dipropyl-ethylamine (NBF-203) and 2-(4-amino-3-bromo-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-N-dipropylethylamine (NBF-234). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental animals. NBF-203 was characterized as a full dopamine D(2) receptor agonist, whereas NBF-234 displayed properties of a partial agonist, or antagonist, at dopamine D(2) receptors. Thus, NBF-203 produced effects similar to those of apomorphine in models for dopamine synthesis, release and turnover. As a strong indication of markedly less intrinsic efficacy, the administration of NBF-234 did not result in antagonism of reserpine-induced suppression of locomotor activity in the presence of (+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5, -tetrahydro-(1H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol HCl (SKF-38393)-induced dopamine D(1) receptor activation. The present series of compounds offer the possibility of adjusting intrinsic efficacy at dopamine D(2) receptors, and such fine-tuning could be an important strategy in the search for optimal antipsychotic or antiparkinson drugs within the partial dopamine D(2) receptor agonist concept.

Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase by micromolar concentrations of disulfiram and its analogues.

Following a preincubation period of 10 min, disulfiram and its analogues FLA 46, FLA 63, FLA 99, EWP 815 and EWP 840 inhibited the breakdown of 10 microM [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 by Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase from GH3 cells, with IC50 values (in microM), for soluble/particulate enzymes respectively, of: disulfiram, 24/24; FLA 46, 23/30; FLA 63, 24/6; FLA 99, 50/48; EWP 815, 8/6; EWP 840, 11/8. The inhibition produced by FLA 99 was time-dependent in nature, although inhibition was found in the absence of a preincubation period. EWP 815 and EWP 840 were more potent inhibitors of Ins(1,4)P2 phosphatase than of Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 3/100 microM)-stimulated inositol phospholipid breakdown in prelabelled GH3 cells was inhibited by disulfiram (IC50 values 63/52 microM respectively), FLA 46 (89/110 microM), EWP 815 (83/71 microM) and EWP 840 (220/200 microM), without affecting basal breakdown rates. FLA 99 did not inhibit either basal or TRH-stimulated activity at any of the concentrations tested (30, 100 and 300 microM). [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding to its cerebellar receptor was not inhibited by any of the compounds over a concentration range of 3-300 microM, although an increased level of binding was seen at high concentrations. FLA 99 and EWP 840 increased the basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration in GH3 cells, but with no corresponding effect on the Ca2+ response to TRH stimulation. These compounds did not increase the cellular permeability to Trypan Blue, but did affect cell proliferation. It is concluded that disulfiram and related compounds produce dramatic effects on Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolism in GH3 cells.

Neuropharmacological and behavioural properties of remoxipride in the rat.

Remoxipride blocks dopamine agonist-induced effects in the rat, mediated by dopamine D2 receptors with an in-vivo potency less than that of haloperidol but greater than that of chlorpromazine, thioridazine, and sulpiride. Unlike haloperidol and sulpiride, remoxipride has weaker antagonistic effects towards presynaptic dopamine activity compared to its effects on postsynaptically mediated activity. Remoxipride causes a preferential inhibition of dopamine agonist-induced locomotion as compared to stereotyped behaviour, suggesting that it may exert a preferential blockade of mesolimbic dopamine neurotransmission. The low tendency of remoxipride to cause catalepsy in the rat is indicative of a weak effect on striatal dopamine neurotransmission and predicts a low liability to induce extrapyramidal side effects in man. Remoxipride causes a smaller elevation of prolactin than sulpiride at doses producing central dopamine receptor blockade. The results suggest that remoxipride, unlike haloperidol, can discriminate between different types of dopamine mediated functions probably by having a preferential action on subpopulations of functionally coupled dopamine D2 receptors.

Selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors. 4. 4-Aminophenethylamine derivatives with neuron-selective action.

Nine 4-aminophenethylamine derivatives were synthesized and tested for monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effects with particular attention to their selectivity for MAO within monoaminergic neurons in the rat brain. All compounds selectively inhibited the A form of MAO in vitro. Some of the compounds inhibited the MAO within the monoaminergic neurons at much lower doses than those required for inhibition of MAO within other cells in vivo. The most potent compounds in this respect were 4-amino-2-fluoro-alpha-methylphenethylamine (5) and 4-amino-2-chloro-alpha-methylphenethylamine (4).

Selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors. 3. Cyclic compounds related to 4-aminophenethylamine. Preparation and neuron-selective action of some 5-(2-aminoethyl)-2,3-dihydroindoles.

Nine 5-(2-aminoethyl)-2,3-dihydroindole derivatives were synthesized and tested as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. All compounds were found to be selective MAO-A inhibitors in vitro, the most active ones, 5-[1-(2-aminopropyl)]-2,3-dihydro-4-methylindole acetate (3), 5-[1-(2-aminopropyl)]-4-chloro-2,3-dihydroindole acetate (5), 5-[1-(2-aminopropyl)]-2,3-dihydro-1-ethyl-4-methylindole tartrate (6), 5-[1-(2-aminopropyl)]-2,3-dihydro-1-ethyl-6-methylindole tartrate (7), and 5-[1-(2-aminobutyl)]-4-chloro-2,3-dihydroindole acetate (9) being equipotent with amiflamine, (S)-(+)-4-(dimethylamino)-2, alpha-dimethylphenethylamine. Some of the compounds, 3, 6, 5-[1-(2-aminopropyl)]-2,3-dihydroindole acetate (1), and 5-[1-(2-amino-2-methylpropyl)]-2,3-dihydroindole acetate (8), were found to be very potent inhibitors of MAO in serotonergic and/or noradrenergic nerve terminals in the rat brain in vivo, inhibiting MAO within these neurons at doses 1/10 of those required to inhibit MAO in other neurons or cells. Compound 1 was also a potent and selective inhibitor of MAO within dopaminergic nerve terminals in vivo. This neuron selectivity is due to the uptake of these compounds by the neuronal uptake mechanisms.

Selective inhibition of monoamine oxidase by p-aminosubstituted phenylalkylamines in catecholaminergic neurones.

The in vivo inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inside and outside noradrenergic and dopaminergic nerve terminals in the hypothalamus and striatum, respectively, was examined in the rat after oral administration of a series of substituted p-aminophenethylamines and some related compounds. This was achieved by measuring their ability to protect MAO from irreversible inhibition by phenelzine, determined by the deaminating activity of synaptosomal preparations in the absence and presence of maprotiline, a selective inhibitor of the uptake of noradrenaline, or of amfonelic acid, a potent inhibitor of the uptake of dopamine, with small (0.25 microM) concentrations of [14C]noradrenaline or [14C]dopamine as substrate. It was found that several of these compounds were much more potent in protecting MAO within the noradrenergic neurones than MAO in other cells. Since the inhibitors of the uptake of noradrenaline, desipramine and CPP 199 antagonized this preference for noradrenergic MAO it is concluded that these MAO inhibitors are accumulated in the noradrenergic neurones by the membranal uptake carrier. Hence the selectivity for MAO within noradrenergic neurones seems to reflect the ability of the compounds to be transported by this carrier. The structure-activity relationship obtained showed the greatest selectivity for the unsubstituted p-dimethylamino-(FLA 289), p-methylamino-(FLA 727) and p-amino-(FLA 334)-amphetamines, whereas the 2-fluoro compound (FLA 558) had the greatest potency. N,N-didesmethylamiflamine [FLA 668(+)] had an almost specific effect in the noradrenergic nerve terminals. The primary p-amino derivatives, FLA 334 and FLA 668, produced a marked selective protection of MAO in dopaminergic nerve terminals, whereas the tertiary and secondary derivatives had much less preference for dopaminergic MAO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Potential neuroleptic agents. 3. Chemistry and antidopaminergic properties of substituted 6-methoxysalicylamides.

A series of substituted 6-methoxysalicylamides were synthesized from their corresponding 2,6-dimethoxybenzamides by demethylation of one methoxy group with boron tribromide. Substituted 6-methoxysalicylamides having a lipophilic aromatic substituent in the 3-position para with respect to the methoxy group, e.g. a bromo or an iodo atom or an ethyl or a propyl group, and having an (S)-N-(1-alkyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl moiety as the side chain were found to be potent blockers of [3H]spiperone binding in vitro and potent inhibitors of the apomorphine syndrome in the rat. Similar to remoxipride but in contrast to haloperidol, some of the substituted salicylamides show a 10-20-fold separation between the dose that inhibits hyperactivity and that which inhibits stereotypy. It was concluded that, besides the requirement of a lipophilic substituent in the position para to the methoxy group for antidopamine activity in vivo, the formation of a coplanar six-membered pseudoring involving the amide moiety and the methoxy group is a structural requirement for activity in vitro.

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase in 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones by substituted p-aminophenylalkylamines.

A series of substituted p-aminophenethylamines and some related compounds were examined with regards to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in vivo inside and outside 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones in the rat hypothalamus. This was recorded as the protection against the irreversible inhibition of MAO produced by phenelzine by determining the remaining deaminating activity in the absence and presence of citalopram using a low (0.1 microM) concentration of [14C]-5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) as substrate. Some of the phenethylamines were much more potent inside than outside the 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones. This neuronal selectivity was antagonized by pretreatment of the rats with norzimeldine, a 5-HT uptake inhibitor, which indicates that these compounds are accumulated in the 5-HT nerve terminals by the 5-HT pump. Selectivity was obtained for compounds with dimethyl, monomethyl or unsubstituted p-amino groups. An isopropyl group appears to substitute for the dimethylamino group but with considerably lower potency. Compounds with 2-substitution showed selectivity for aminergic neurones and this effect decreased with increased size of the substituent. The 2,6-dichloro derivative FLA 365 had, however, no neuronal selective action but was a potent MAO inhibitor. Substitutions in the 3- and 5-positions decreased both potency and selectivity. Prolongation of the side chain with one methylene group abolished the preference for the MAO in 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones although the MAO inhibitory potency remained. The selectivity disappeared by increasing the alpha-substituent to an ethyl group but remained for the alpha,alpha-dimethyl substituted derivatives. It is concluded that compounds which are (1) transported by the 5-HT pump and (2) potent reversible MAO-A inhibitors produce pronounced inhibition of MAO in 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones.

[Selective antidopaminergic properties of remoxiprid, a new potential antipsychotic agent]. / Die selektiven antidopaminergen Eigenschaften von Remoxiprid, einem neuen möglichen antipsychotischen Wirkstoff.

The pharmacology of S-(-)-3-bromo-2, 6-dimethoxy-N-(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinylone-ethyl)-benzamide (remoxipride), a new neuroleptic compound belonging to the benzamide group, has been thoroughly investigated using a number of different techniques. The compound blocks apomorphine-induced stereotypies and hyperactivity, indicating potent antidopaminergic activity. However, in contrast to many other antidopaminergic compounds, remoxipride induces only weak and atypical catalepsy, which indicates that remoxipride might exert less antidopaminergic side effects than other neuroleptic drugs. In vivo receptor binding studies using 3H-spiperone show that remoxipride preferentially blocks dopamine receptors only are blocked to 60% even at very high doses. In vitro receptor binding studies show that remoxipride is devoid of affinity for receptors other than the dopamine D2 receptors except at higher concentrations. These results indicate that remoxipride should be a clinically effective neuroleptic compound exerting less extrapyramidal side effects than the neuroleptics currently used.

Effect of lipophilicity of substituted benzamides on the dopaminergic effects in vivo and in vitro.

The antidopaminergic potencies of some new substituted benzamides related to remoxipride have been studied in the rat using in vitro (3H-spiperone binding) and in vivo techniques (antagonism of apomorphine induced stereotypies). The lipophilicities of the different benzamides were calculated by the addition of the lipophilic contribution (pi value) of the added substituent. It was found that the in vivo potencies of the compounds were not direct proportional to the in vitro potencies. The discrepancies in the potencies in vitro and in vivo (expressed as the ratio) are correlated to the calculated lipophilicities. Certain substituents in the benzene nucleus affect this in vitro--in vivo ratio more than could be expected from the change in lipophilicity caused by the substituent. The type of side chain is also of great importance. The reasons for the discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo antidopaminergic potencies of the studied substituted benzamides are discussed.

Remoxipride, a new potential antipsychotic compound with selective antidopaminergic actions in the rat brain.

The novel substituted benzamide, remoxipride, preferentially blocked apomorphine-induced hyperactivity with weak effects on stereotypies. The potency of remoxipride was about 50 times higher than that of sulpiride. Remoxipride caused a weak, atypical form of catalepsy and showed a high separation between the ED50 for blockade of apomorphine-induced hyperactivity and the ED50 for induction of catalepsy (ratio 24). Remoxipride was shown to be a selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist since it displaced [3H]spiperone (IC50 = 1570 nM) but not [3H]flupentixol (IC50 greater than 100 000 nM) in rat striatum, and did not inhibit striatal DA-sensitive adenylate cyclase in vitro (IC50 greater than 100 000 nM). Remoxipride is a potent antagonist of D2 receptors showing a dose-dependent blockade of [3H]spiperone and [3H]n-propylnorapomorphine in vivo binding with a potency equal to that of chlorpromazine. In contrast to haloperidol, remoxipride caused a preferential blockade of in vivo [3H]spierone binding in the mesolimbic DA rich areas and the substantia nigra with much less effect in the striatum. In addition, remoxipride produced a preferential increase of DA utilization following synthesis inhibition in the olfactory tubercle. Only minor changes in NA and 5-HT metabolism were observed while HVA and DOPAC levels were markedly elevated. Taken together, these results indicate that remoxipride is a potent, selective D2 receptor blocking agent with a preferential action in mesolimbic and extrastriatal dopamine-containing neurons.

Potential neuroleptic agents. 2,6-Dialkoxybenzamide derivatives with potent dopamine receptor blocking activities.

A series of some novel N-(l-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinylmethyl)benzamides was synthesized and tested for dopamine receptor blockade in vivo by the ability to block the apomorphine syndrome in the rat. Several compounds were considerably more potent than sulpiride as dopamine receptor blockers and displayed low liability to induce extrapyramidal side effects (catalepsy) in the rat. The blockade of dopamine receptor activity in vivo was mainly confined to the levorotatory isomers having the S absolute configuration. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors. 1. Compounds related to 4-aminophenethylamine.

A series of derivatives of 4-aminophenethylamine was synthesized and their effect on monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in the brain was evaluated. Several of the new compounds were potent and selective inhibitors of the A form of MAO but were poor inhibitors of the B form. The most active compounds were the 2,6-dichloro-(9) and the 2-halogeno-4-dimethylaminophenethylamines (5, 6, and 8). Some of the compounds also strongly antagonized aggressive behavior in isolated male mice. This effect was correlated to the MAO inhibition when tyramine was used as substrate. Significant correlations between MAO inhibition in vivo and potentiation of the syndromes produced by 5-hydroxytryptophan and tryptamine and antagonism of reserpine sedation were obtained.