CK-2127107 amplifies skeletal muscle response to nerve activation in humans.

INTRODUCTION: Three studies evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of CK-2127107 (CK-107), a next-generation fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA), in healthy participants. We tested the hypothesis that CK-107 would amplify the force-frequency response of muscle in humans. METHODS: To assess the force-frequency response, participants received single doses of CK-107 and placebo in a randomized, double-blind, 4-period, crossover study. The force-frequency response of foot dorsiflexion following stimulation of the deep fibular nerve to activate the tibialis anterior muscle was assessed. RESULTS: CK-107 significantly increased tibialis anterior muscle response with increasing dose and plasma concentration in a frequency-dependent manner; the largest increase in peak force was ∼60% at 10 Hz. DISCUSSION: CK-107 appears more potent and produced larger increases in force than tirasemtiv-a first-generation FSTA-in a similar pharmacodynamic study, thereby supporting its development for improvement of muscle function of patients. Muscle Nerve 57: 729-734, 2018.

Biphenyl-indanones: allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate subtype 2 receptor.

We have identified and synthesized a series of biphenyl-carboxylic acid indanones as allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency and the brain to plasma ratio of the initial lead led to the discovery of 5 and 23 (EC50=111 and 5 nM, respectively).

Benzazoles as allosteric potentiators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2): efficacy in an animal model for schizophrenia.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) has been implicated in a variety of CNS disorders, including schizophrenia. Disclosed herein is the development of a new series of allosteric potentiators of mGluR2. Structure-activity relationship studies in conjunction with pharmacokinetic data led to the discovery of indole 5, which is active in an animal model for schizophrenia.

Metabolism and disposition of a potent group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, in rats, dogs, and monkeys.

Metabolism and disposition of MGS0028 [(1R,2S,5S,6S)-2-amino-6-fluoro-4-oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid monohydrate], a potent group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, were examined in three preclinical species (Sprague-Dawley rats, beagle dogs, and rhesus monkeys). In rats, MGS0028 was widely distributed and primarily excreted in urine as parent and as a single reductive metabolite, identified as the 4R-isomer MGS0034 [(1R,2S,4R,5S,6S)-2-amino-6-fluoro-4-hydroxybicyclo[3.1.0]-hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid]. MGS0028 had a low brain to plasma ratio at efficacious doses in rats and was eliminated more slowly in rat brain than in plasma. Exposure increased proportionally (1--10 mg/kg p.o.) in rats, with bioavailability>60% at all doses. However, bioavailability was only approximately 20% in monkeys, and MGS0034 was found in relatively high abundance in plasma. In dogs, oral bioavailability was >60%, and the metabolite was not detected. In vitro metabolism was examined in liver subcellular fractions (microsomes and cytosol) from rat, dog, monkey, and human. Reductive metabolism was observed in rat, monkey, and human liver cytosol incubations, but not in dog liver cytosol incubations. No metabolism of MGS0028 was detected in incubations with liver microsomes from any species. Similar to in vivo results, MGS0028 was reduced in cytosol stereospecifically to MGS0034. The rank order of in vitro metabolite formation (monkey >> rat approximately human >> dog) was in agreement with in vivo observations in rats, dogs, and monkeys. Based on the observation of species difference in reductive metabolism, rat and monkey were recommended to be the preclinical species for further characterization prior to testing in humans. Finally, allometric scaling predicts that human pharmacokinetic parameters would be acceptable for further development.

3-(2-Ethoxy-4-{4-[3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(3-methylbutanoyl)phenoxy]butoxy}phenyl)propanoic acid: a brain penetrant allosteric potentiator at the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2).

We have identified and synthesized a brain penetrant propanoic acid as an allosteric potentiator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency, level of potentiation and brain penetration led to the discovery of 8 (EC50=1200 nM, 77% potentiation, 119% brain/plasma in rat, 20 mpk i.p., brain level of 5700 nM).

Allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2). Part 3: Identification and biological activity of indanone containing mGlu2 receptor potentiators.

We have identified and synthesized a series of phenyl-tetrazolyl and 4-thiopyridyl indanones as allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency and level of potentiation, as well as PK properties, led to the discovery of 28 (EC50=186 nM), which displayed activity in a rodent model for schizophrenia.

Allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2). Part 2: 4-thiopyridyl acetophenones as non-tetrazole containing mGlu2 receptor potentiators.

We have identified and synthesized a series of 4-thiopyridyl acetophenones as positive allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward replacement of the tetrazole in the initial lead led to the discovery of 16 (EC(50)=340 nM), which showed improved brain penetration over the initial lead.

Proton HR-MAS spectroscopy and quantitative pathologic analysis of MRI/3D-MRSI-targeted postsurgical prostate tissues.

Proton high-resolution magic angle spinning ((1)H HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy and quantitative histopathology were performed on the same 54 MRI/3D-MRSI-targeted postsurgical prostate tissue samples. Presurgical MRI/3D-MRSI targeted healthy and malignant prostate tissues with an accuracy of 81%. Even in the presence of substantial tissue heterogeneity, distinct (1)H HR-MAS spectral patterns were observed for different benign tissue types and prostate cancer. Specifically, healthy glandular tissue was discriminated from prostate cancer based on significantly higher levels of citrate (P = 0.04) and polyamines (P = 0.01), and lower (P = 0.02) levels of the choline-containing compounds choline, phosphocholine (PC), and glycerophosphocholine (GPC). Predominantly stromal tissue lacked both citrate and polyamines, but demonstrated significantly (P = 0.01) lower levels of choline compounds than cancer. In addition, taurine, myo-inositol, and scyllo-inositol were all higher in prostate cancer vs. healthy glandular and stromal tissues. Among cancer samples, larger increases in choline, and decreases in citrate and polyamines (P = 0.05) were observed with more aggressive cancers, and a MIB-1 labeling index correlated (r = 0.62, P = 0.01) with elevated choline. The elucidation of spectral patterns associated with mixtures of different prostate tissue types and cancer grades, and the inclusion of new metabolic markers for prostate cancer may significantly improve the clinical interpretation of in vivo prostate MRSI data.