Pharmacologic, metabolic, and toxicologic profile of spirapril (SCH 33844), a new angiotensin converting inhibitor.

Spirapril (SCH 33844; 7-N-[1(S)-ethoxycarbonyl-3-phenylpropyl]-(S)-alanyl-1,4-dithia- 7-azaspiro[4,4]-nonane-8(S)-carboxylic acid) is a new angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. SCH 33844 diacid inhibited hydrolysis of hip-his-leu by rabbit lung ACE in a potent (Ki = 0.74 nM), selective, and noncompetitive fashion. SCH 33844 (0.03-1 mg/kg p.o.) produced dose-related inhibition of angiotensin I (AI) pressor responses in conscious rats with a duration of 24 h at the higher dose. SCH 33844 (0.3-30 mg/kg p.o.) reduced blood pressure in a dose-related manner in conscious SHR with a 24-h duration. Antihypertensive activity was enhanced in the presence of hydrochlorothiazide. The drug (1-10 mg/kg p.o.) also lowered blood pressure in conscious hydrochlorothiazide-treated normotensive dogs. In anesthetized dogs, SCH 33844 (1 mg/kg i.v.) reduced blood pressure and total peripheral vascular resistance and slightly increased cardiac output and stroke volume. These results suggest that peripheral vasodilation is the primary mechanism of the antihypertensive action. The metabolic profile of SCH 33844 was evaluated in dogs and rats. The compound was absorbed in a dose-proportional manner and excreted primarily as the diacid form. In contrast to captopril and enalapril, most of the drug (67%) was excreted into the feces following i.v. dosing. Chronic toxicological evaluation in dogs and rats demonstrated that the drug was relatively devoid of toxicity at oral doses as high as 400 and 450 mg/kg/day, respectively. Slight decreases in heart weight (rats) and increases in granularity of the juxtaglomerular apparatus were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rising multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of labetalol in hypertensive patients.

Labetalol, a drug possessing both alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking activities, is used in the treatment of hypertension. The current study was undertaken to elucidate the steady-state pharmacokinetics of labetalol following a rising oral multiple-dosage regimen. Twelve patients received oral labetalol every 12 hours for 18 days. An initial dose of 100 mg was increased at three-day intervals to 200, 300, 400, and 600 mg q12h. Selected blood samples were taken at various times following drug administration at each dose level and analyzed for labetalol levels by a specific high-performance liquid chromography assay. The pharmacokinetics of labetalol are best described by a two-compartment open model with first-order absorption. The half-lives of the absorption, distribution, and elimination phases are 0.6, 1.3, and 8.3 hours, respectively. The steady-state plasma drug concentrations are predictable from the pharmacokinetic data and are in good agreement with the observed values. Steady-state levels are reached by the third day at each dose level studied and increase proportionally with dose.

High-performance liquid chromatographic assay for labetalol in human plasma using a PRP-1 column and fluorometric detection.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the determination of labetalol, a novel antihypertensive agent, in human plasma was developed. Reversed-phase separation of labetalol and the internal standard was accomplished on a 150 X 4.1 mm column commercially packed with a spherical (8-12 micron particle size) macroporous co-polymer (PRP-1). Unlike silica-based columns, the unique properties of PRP-1 permit operation at pH extremes. Based on this advantage, a mobile phase which was sufficiently basic (pH 9.5) to optimize the fluorescent yield of analyte and provide the necessary specificity was selected. Detector response (peak area ratio) was linear from 4 to 500 ng/nl. Following a simple extraction procedure, samples were automatically injected and analyzed using micro-processor-controlled equipment. No interferences were observed in the extracts obtained from drug-free plasma which were processed under the conditions described for unchanged drug. The limit of quantitation using 0.5 ml of plasma was validated to 4 ng/ml. The inter-assay precision (coefficient of variation) was less than 4.6% at all concentrations evaluated from 4 to 300 ng/ml. This method is suitable for the routine quantitation of labetalol or its RR isomer (dilevalol) in plasma (0-24 h) following the administration of therapeutically effective doses to man.

SCH 23390, a potential benzazepine antipsychotic with unique interactions on dopaminergic systems.

SCH 23390 [R-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine-7-ol) possesses pharmacologic effects similar to standard antipsychotics, including selective supression of conditioned avoidance responding in rats and squirrel monkeys, blockade of apomorphine-induced stereotypy in rats and blockade of methamphetamine-induced lethality in aggregated mice. At effective doses in these tests, no changes in gross behavior, neurological or autonomic function were observed. In contrast to the standards tested, SCH 23390 blocked dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase at concentrations (IC50 = 0.01 microM) about 2000 times lower than those needed to block spiperone binding (IC50 = 24 microM). This suggests specific D1-receptor antagonism. Inability of SCH 23390 to cause hyperprolactinemia, considered to be a D2-receptor effect, is consistent with this hypothesis. SCH 23390 showed lower increases in dopamine turnover suggesting that the blockade of SCH 23390 may be more specific for post- than presynaptic sites. Additional evidence for the selectivity of SCH 23390 among putative postsynaptic dopamine sites includes its lack of effect on apomorphine-induced hypothermia or emesis. Based on these results, it is postulated that SCH 23390 is a selective D1-receptor antagonist.

Electric power from differences in salinity: the dialytic battery.

An array of alternating anion and cation exchange membranes can be used to generate electric power from the free energy of mixing of river and sea waters. A simple mathematical model, which predicts experimental results well, is useful in exploring conditions for optimization of the process. Major, but not impossible, improvements in technology would be required to bring the cost of power from the dialytic battery into line with foreseeable energy prices.

Production of a pyrrole antibiotic by a marine bacterium.

Evidence is presented for the isolation and identification of bacteria able to synthesize an unusual antibiotic containing five bromine atoms per molecule. The identification and taxonomic position of these bacteria was made by use of a computer in conjunction with traditional methods. These microorganisms and closely related strains have been isolated on various occasions from tropical water in the vicinity of Puerto Rico. One bacterium, a pseudomonad, has been given the name Pseudomonas bromoutilis because of its distinctive capability. The antibiotic has been extracted, purified, and obtained in crystal form, and its structure has been determined. Although clinical tests of its properties were not encouraging, it may be of significant value and interest from an ecological standpoint.