Alendronate binds to tooth root surfaces and inhibits progression of feline tooth resorption: a pilot proof-of-concept study.

Tissue distribution, bioavailability, and efficacy of alendronate in preventing progression of resorption of teeth were evaluated in cats. [Butyl-4-14C-]-alendronate accumulates on subgingival tooth and alveolar bone surfaces adjacent to vascularized tissue resulting in concentration of the drug around tooth roots. Three cats were treated with a 0.03 mg/kg i.v. bolus of [butyl-4-14C-]-alendronate followed by blood, urine, and feces collection and euthanasia 24-hours later. Drug tissue distribution was accessed by autoradiography and sample combustion. To assess bioavailability, 12 cats were administered alendronate orally (3.0 or 9.0 mg/kg in water or 9.0 mg/kg in tuna water) and urine was collected for 24-hours. In these formulations, alendronate oral bioavailability in cats was approximately 3%. In addition, 10 cats with radiographic evidence of pre-existing tooth resorption (14 affected teeth) were treated with vehicle or 3.0 mg/kg alendronate per os once weekly for 22-weeks and, then, 9.0 mg/kg per os twice weekly for 27-weeks in a random, masked study. Radiographic area of resorption was measured and progression scored every 3 to 4-months. In placebo-treated cats, resorption progressed in five of six teeth (+ 97% average increase in area of resorption), whereas progression of resorption was seen in only three of eight affected teeth in alendronate-treated cats with a -22% average change (decrease) in area (P < 0.01 difference in number of teeth showing progression; P < 0.001 difference in area of resorption). Alendronate accumulated preferentially on subgingival tooth surfaces and adjacent alveolar bone and, at a dose of 9 mg/kg twice weekly, effectively slowed or arrested the progression of resorption.

Highly potent growth hormone secretagogues.

During an effort to search for more potent growth hormone secretagogues, we discovered a class of compounds of which the best compound 8 was 7-fold more active in vitro than the best compound in the series we revealed before [Tata, J. R.; Lu, Z.; Jacks, T. M.; Schleim, K. D.; Cheng, K.; Wei, L.; Chan, W.-S.; Butler, B.; Tsou, N.; Leung, K.; Chiu, S.-H. L.; Hickey, G. J.; Smith, R. G.; Patchett, A. A. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.1997, 7, 2319.]. Animal studies show that compound 8 can stimulate growth hormone release at the oral dose as low as 0.06 mpk. Chemistry and biological studies are discussed.

Antidiabetic activity of a highly potent and selective nonpeptide somatostatin receptor subtype-2 agonist.

Somatostatin inhibits both glucagon and insulin secretion. Glucagon significantly contributes to hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Despite its function in the inhibition of glucagon secretion, somatostatin fails to reduce hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, due to a parallel suppression of insulin secretion. Five pharmacologically distinct somatostatin receptor subtypes (sst(1)-sst(5)) mediate the effects of somatostatin on a cellular level. Pancreatic A cells express sst(2), whereas B cells express sst(5). In this study, we describe a novel approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes using a highly sst(2)-selective, nonpeptide agonist (compound 1). Compound 1 effectively inhibited glucagon secretion from pancreatic islets isolated from wild-type mice, whereas glucagon secretion from sst(2)-deficient islets was not suppressed. Compound 1 did not influence nonfasted insulin concentration. In sst(2)-deficient mice, compound 1 did not have any effects on glucagon or glucose levels, confirming its sst(2) selectivity. In animal models of type 2 diabetes in the nonfasted state, circulating glucagon and glucose levels were decreased after treatment with compound 1. In the fasting state, compound 1 lowered blood glucose by approximately 25%. In summary, small-molecule sst(2)-selective agonists that suppress glucagon secretion offer a novel approach toward the development of orally bioavailable drugs for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Substituted bridged phenyl piperidines: orally active growth hormone secretagogues.

A new series of growth hormone secretagogues have been discovered. The best compound, 26j, shows excellent ability to release growth hormone both in vitro and in vivo. The synthesis and biological activity of these compounds are discussed.