Water intake in hypovolemic sheep: effects of crushing the left atrial appendage.

Sheep increased their water intake in proportion to the amount of protein-free, isosmotic fluid that was removed from their blood by ultrafiltration. This behavioral response to hypovolemia was eliminated by crushing the left atrial appendage of the heart. The surgical maneuver had no effect on basal water intake or on the drinking response to a salt load. These findings suggest that left atrial stretch receptors, which influence secretion of antidiuretic hormone when stimulated, may also play an important role in mediating thirst during hypovolemia.

Differential effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

To investigate the mechanism by which angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition attenuates atherogenesis, we have studied the effects of a non-sulfhydryl ACE inhibitor, enalapril, and an angiotensin receptor antagonist, SC-51316, in cholesterol-fed rabbits. After 3 mo of enalapril treatment (10 mg/kg per d, p.o.) the percent plaque areas in the thoracic aortas of treated animals were significantly reduced (controls: 86.8 +/- 3.5%; treated: 31.1 +/- 8%, P < 0.001). Aortic cholesterol content was also reduced (controls: 31.4 +/- 3.2 mg/g tissue; treated: 7.4 +/- 1.8 mg/g, P < 0.001). Enalapril had no significant effect on plasma lipid levels or conscious blood pressure. In a second study, the angiotensin II receptor antagonist SC-51316 was administered at a dose equivalent to enalapril at blocking angiotensin pressor effects in vivo (30 mg/kg per d, p.o.). Evaluation after 3 mo indicated no significant attenuation of aortic atherosclerosis. These results demonstrate that: (a) enalapril attenuates atherogenesis without affecting either blood pressure or plasma lipid levels; (b) antioxidant activity, found with sulfhydryl-containing ACE inhibitors, is not necessary for reducing plaque formation; and (c) the attenuation of atherogenesis by ACE inhibition may not be due to blockade of the renin-angiotensin system. Alternatively, one must consider the multiple effects of ACE inhibition on other hormone systems, such as bradykinin, or the possibility that alternate angiotensin II receptors may be involved in atherosclerosis.

Mechanisms regulating the renal excretion of sodium during pregnancy.

Observations were made on the relation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and renal hemodynamic function to sodium balance in 43 pregnant dogs. Daily balance studies revealed that about 30-40% of ingested sodium was retained during the last half of pregnancy; during the same period, potassium balance was also positive but to a lesser extent. For groups of pregnant dogs, plasma renin activity (n = 14) and aldosterone secretion (n = 19) were significantly higher than normal; however, in some animals one or both functions were normal even though sodium retention was present. In contrast, plasma renin substrate concentration was consistently elevated during pregnancy in seven dogs. In a group of nine dogs in which both aldosterone secretion and plasma renin activity were measured, aldosterone secretion was elevated in the three dogs with the highest values for plasma renin activity; in two of the remaining six animals aldosterone secretion was elevated but plasma renin activity was normal or only slightly increased. The sequestration of sodium and water into the uterine contents was defined quantitatively in this study but evidence was lacking to support the idea that such changes led to renin release. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly elevated throughout pregnancy but a significant decrease from the high level of mid-pregnancy occurred during the last half of pregnancy; this decrease in GFR probably contributed to the sodium retention. Administration of a large dose of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) to dogs in late pregnancy produced marked sodium retention but "escape" from the sodium-retaining steroid occurred. The data demonstrate that although increased activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was frequently present during pregnancy, a normal rate of aldosterone secretion occurred. This finding and the observed "escape" from DOCA suggest the existence of sodium-retaining mechanisms other than the mechanism provided by a high plasma level of aldosterone.

Central atrial natriuretic factor reduces vasopressin secretion in the rat.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF, Arg 101-Tyr 126; 0.5 and 2.5 micrograms) administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle of conscious euhydrated and dehydrated rats resulted in a significant reduction in the plasma vasopressin concentration. The effect of ANF on vasopressin secretion was greater in the water-deprived animal. Central ANF was without effect on mean arterial blood pressure in both euhydrated and dehydrated rats. The data suggest that ANF occurring in the central nervous system may be important in the control of vasopressin secretion.

The role of ACTH and adrenal glucocorticoids in the salt appetite of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus (L)).

The selective appetites of wild rabbits for 500 mEq/1 solutions of NaC1, KC1, MgC1(2), and CaC1(2) were studied in intact and adrenalectomized rabbits during daily treatment with either 4 IU long acting ACTH, 1.0 or 2.5 mg cortisol acetate, or 2.5 mg corticosterone. The animals were individually caged and external sodium balances performed. In intact rabbits, cortisol or corticosterone produced a significant stimulation of NaC1 appetite. The response to concurrent dosage of cortisol and corticosterone was less than half of that obtained with ACTH which produced a comparable alteration of blood glucocorticoid levels but a 10-fold increase in NaC1 intake. CaC1(2) intake was increased in intact rabbits by cortisol treatment but not by corticosterone or ACTH. Adrenalectomized rabbits maintained on daily steroid replacement therapy of 0.1 mg deoxycorticosterone acetate and 0.75 mg cortisone acetate showed a normal pattern of electolyte, food, and water intake. Under these conditions ACTH produced a 4-fold increase in NaC1 intake. Further addition of cortisol and corticosterone to steroid replacement therapy produced an increase in NaC1 intake comparable to their effect on normal rabbits. Thereupon supplementation with ACTH resulted in an increase to a level at least as great as that found in ACTH treated, normal rabbits. The effects of ACTH and glucocorticoids on NaC1 appetite were synergistic. Sodium balance showed that increases in NaC1 intake were not the result of the treatment initially producing a body sodium deficit, which was then corrected by increased intake. The results provide further evidence for the hypothesis that NaC1 appetite may be hormonally regulated, and demonstrate that ACTH is capable of stimulating NaC1 intake by a previously unsuspected non-adrenal pathway.

Atrial natriuretic factor plays a significant role in body fluid homeostasis.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a hormone with the physiological characteristics of a regulator of body fluid volume. It is potent, has a short duration of action, and responds to a physiologically relevant stimulus in a negative feedback-controlled system. It can act directly or indirectly (via inhibition of aldosterone biosynthesis) on the kidney to alter sodium transport and may regulate fluid distribution within the extracellular space. The peptide circulates at low (nanomolar) levels, and recent studies with renal inner medullary cells document relevant receptor binding and second messenger activation in this concentration range. In vivo data support a direct action on the kidney to enhance natriuresis, and blockade of a primary catabolic pathway for ANF within the kidney results in augmented natriuresis at concurrent endogenous peptide concentrations. Long-term, low dose infusion directly into the renal artery of conscious dogs supports a physiological action of ANF to promote urinary sodium excretion. Nevertheless, under certain circumstances, natriuresis does not occur even at high circulating levels of ANF. Apparently other factors such as renal perfusion pressure, volume status, and renal nerve activity are important in determining the natriuretic response to a given level of peptide. We hypothesize that the role played by ANF in volume regulation is highly complex, and the kidney responds with increased sodium excretion only when a constellation of variables is appropriately arrayed. That is, ANF is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition to induce natriuresis.

Statine-containing renin inhibitor. Dissociation of blood pressure lowering and renin inhibition in sodium-deficient dogs.

Iva-His-Pro-Phe-His-Sta-Leu-Phe-NH2 is a new, potent, specific statine -containing renin inhibitor. In vitro, the ID50 needed to inhibit both dog and human plasma renin is approximately 10(-8)M. Injections into anesthetized rats receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of hog renin revealed a dose-related lowering of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) with an ID50 of 0.04 mg/kg. In conscious Na-deficient dogs, infusion of the inhibitor for 48 hours resulted in a sustained lowering of MAP and suppression of plasma renin activity (PRA). To study the relationship between MAP lowering and inhibition of PRA, conscious Na-deficient dogs received continuous intravenous infusions for 1 to 3 hours. At doses of 20, 40, and 160 micrograms/kg X min, MAP was reduced 9 +/- 3, 15 +/- 0, and 22 +/- 4 mm Hg. No dose-related response was observed for PRA, which decreased from 7.8 +/- 0.9 to 0.4 +/- 0.3, 0.1 +/- 0.1, and 0.4 +/- 0.2 ng angiotensin I/ml X hr, respectively. Further studies using much-reduced infusion rates revealed a dose-related inhibition of PRA but not MAP. Doses of 0.1, 0.2, and 1.0 micrograms/kg X min inhibited PRA, 34% +/- 1%, 52% +/- 3%, and 82% +/- 4% while MAP decreased, 3 +/- 1, 4 +/- 1, and 2 +/- 1 mm Hg, respectively. These data reveal the potent blood-pressure-lowering effects of this new renin inhibitor and suggest that there may not be a direct relationship between inhibition of circulating renin and blood pressure lowering in Na-deficient dogs.

Reversal of low dose angiotension hypertension by angiotensin receptor antagonists.

During acute angiotension II (Ang II) infusion (200 ng/kg/min i.v.) into anesthetized rats, mean arterial pressure rose from 124 +/- 1 to 154 +/- 2 mm Hg. The peptidic Ang II antagonist saralasin lowered arterial pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal decrease in pressure was similar to that observed after the Ang II infusion was discontinued. The nonpeptide Ang II antagonist, 4'-[( 2-butyl-4-chloro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-imidazole-1-yl] methyl) [1,1'-biphenyl] -2-carboxylic acid (SC-48742), lowered acutely elevated arterial pressure to a level similar to that on discontinuation of the angiotensin infusion. Chronic (8 days) infusion of Ang II (20 ng/kg/min i.v.) increased mean arterial pressure from 116 +/- 3 to 164 +/- 7 mm Hg, which then decreased to 121 +/- 6 mm Hg on termination of the infusion. Saralasin (10 micrograms/kg/min, a maximally effective dose during acute angiotensin infusion) decreased mean arterial pressure from 168 +/- 7 to 141 +/- 3 mm Hg, a pressure significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than the pressure observed after the angiotensin infusion was discontinued. SC-48742 decreased mean arterial pressure from 167 +/- 7 to 127 +/- 3 mm Hg, a pressure not statistically different from the minimum pressure observed after the angiotensin infusion was terminated. The mechanism of blood pressure elevation during acute high dose or chronic low dose Ang II infusion is different, the latter having a significant neural component as measured by the response to trimethaphan. The peptidic antagonist saralasin was fully effective in lowering acute angiotensin hypertension but only partially effective during chronic hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of a new renin inhibitor and enalaprilat in renal hypertensive dogs.

The hypotensive efficacy of a potent new renin inhibitor (N alpha-isovaleryl-L-histidyl-L-prolyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-histidyl-ACHPA+ ++-L- phenylalanyl amide) containing (3S,4S)-4-amino-5-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxy pentanoic acid (ACHPA) was compared with the converting enzyme inhibitor (enalaprilat) (MK-422) in conscious one-kidney dogs before and after tightening a renal artery clamp. Dose-response curves to 0.003 to 0.1 mg/kg/min i.v. infusions of the ACHPA-containing renin inhibitory peptide or enalaprilat (0.003-0.1 mg/kg i.v. bolus) were obtained in one-kidney dogs before and 3 days and 14 days after renal artery constriction. The ACHPA-containing renin inhibitory peptide and enalaprilat maximally decreased blood pressure by 10 +/- 2 and 9 +/- 2 mm Hg before constriction and by 12 +/- 2 and 12 +/- 4 mm Hg in dogs treated 14 days after renal artery constriction, respectively. Glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow were unaltered or slightly improved. In sharp contrast, both compounds elicited significant, dose-related decreases in blood pressure (-26 +/- 4 and -20 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively), glomerular filtration rate (-21 +/- 3 and -23 +/- 3 ml/min), and renal plasma flow (-45 +/- 14 and -48 +/- 13 ml/min) in dogs examined 3 days after renal artery constriction. These data demonstrate that ACHPA-containing renin inhibitory peptide and enalaprilat are equally effective antihypertensive agents in dogs with renin-dependent renovascular hypertension and lend credence to the contention that the renin-angiotensin system supports renal function in hypertensive states in which renin levels are elevated.

Synthetic atrial natriuretic factor in conscious normotensive and hypertensive rats.

Synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (Arg-Arg-Ser-Ser-Cys-Phe-Gly-Gly-Arg-Ile-Asp-Arg-Ile-Gly-Ala-Gln-Ser-Gly -Leu- Gly-Cys-Asn-Ser-Phe-Arg-Tyr-COOH [disulfide bond between cysteines]) was infused intravenously into conscious normotensive and deoxycorticosterone, one-kidney, one-clip, and two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats. Mean arterial pressure, urine volume, and electrolyte excretion rates were measured during a 20-minute infusion of a single dose (ranging from 0-1520 pmol/min) into each animal; 95 to 380 pmol/minute of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor maximally reduced mean arterial pressure by -20 +/- 4, -29 +/- 2, and -39 +/- 7 mm Hg in normotensive, one-kidney, one-clip, and two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats, respectively. In deoxycorticosterone rats, a dose of 760 pmol/minute was required to produce the largest depressor response (-58 +/- 12 mm Hg). Sodium excretion increased to 8.8 +/- 2.5 muEq/minute at 760 pmol/minute in normotensive rats, to 6.5 +/- 1.1 muEq/minute at 50 pmol/minute in deoxycorticosterone rats, and to 5.8 +/- 1.5 muEq/minute at 95 pmol/minute in one-kidney, one-clip animals. The natriuretic effect was consistently greater at all doses of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor in the two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive model, in which the maximum response was 15.3 +/- 4.7 muEq/minute at 190 pmol/minute. The changes in urine volume and excretion rates of potassium and chloride tended to parallel the increases in sodium excretion in each model. Interestingly, the maximally effective hypotensive dose of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor was different from the maximally effective natriuretic dose in all four groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chronic atriopeptin regulation of arterial pressure in conscious hypertensive rats.

Acute coadministrations of an inhibitor of endopeptidase 24.11 (thiorphan) and a ligand (SC-46542) selective for the non-guanylate cyclase-linked atriopeptin binding sites increases urinary sodium excretion to a greater degree in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. In the present study, we examined the effects of chronic 10-day intravenous infusions of SC-46542 (des[Phe106,Gly107,Ala115,Gln116] atriopeptin-(103-126] (0.1 mg/kg/hr), thiorphan (1.5 mg/kg/hr), and atriopeptin-(103-126) (100 ng/hr) alone or in combination on direct recording of mean arterial pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats. During an 11-day time-control infusion of isotonic saline vehicle (100 microliters/hr), mean arterial pressure remained stable. Chronic infusion of atriopeptin-(103-126) decreased mean arterial pressure progressively over the first 3 days; then mean arterial pressure progressively rose to control level over the following 3 days and remained at control level for the remainder of the experiment. Similarly, coinfusions of atriopeptin-(103-126) and SC-46542 or thiorphan, SC-46542 and thiorphan, or the triple infusion of atriopeptin-(103-126), SC-46542, and thiorphan had only transient effects on mean arterial pressure during 10-day infusions. SC-46542 alone had no effect on mean arterial pressure. Similarly, thiorphan alone had no effect on mean arterial pressure except at doses that blocked the acute pressor response to angiotensin I. Chronic infusions of atriopeptin-(103-126), SC-46542, and thiorphan alone or in combination are not effective long-term treatments for hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

A comparison of synthetic rat and human atrial natriuretic factor in conscious dogs.

The renal and hypotensive responses to intravenous infusions of 10, 50, 100, and 200 pmol/kg/min of synthetic rat atrial natriuretic factor (Arg101-Arg-Ser-Ser-Cys-Phe-Gly-Gly-Arg-Ile110-Asp-Arg-Ile-G ly-Ala-Gln-Ser-Gly -Leu-Gly120-Cys-Asn-Ser-Phe-Arg-Tyr; disulfide bond between cysteines) were compared with those produced by synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor (Met110) in five conscious dogs. Increasing doses of rat or human atrial natriuretic factor lowered mean arterial pressure in a dose-related manner. At 200 pmol/kg/min, the maximally effective dose for both peptides, mean arterial pressure was reduced from 116 +/- 4 to 96 +/- 5 mm Hg and from 117 +/- 5 to 100 +/- 3 mm Hg (p less than 0.01), respectively. Neither peptide affected heart rate. Fractional sodium excretion increased from 0.69 +/- 0.22 to 3.95 +/- 1.23% and from 0.69 +/- 0.16 to 4.62 +/- 0.72% during infusions of 200 pmol/kg/min of rat and human atrial natriuretic factor, respectively. Urine volume and fractional chloride excretion rose during infusions of rat or human atrial natriuretic factor in a manner that resembled the elevation in sodium excretion. The stimulation of fractional potassium excretion by both rat and human peptides was more variable and not as clearly dose-dependent. Glomerular filtration rate was enhanced by both rat and human atrial natriuretic factor, while neither peptide significantly changed renal plasma flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renal and blood pressure responses to synthetic atrial natriuretic factor in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a potent natriuretic and vasorelaxant agent that also stimulates guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) excretion in normotensive animals. These properties suggest that ANF may be involved in the regulation of blood pressure. To test a pure preparation of ANF in both normotensive and hypertensive animals, a synthetic 26 amino acid peptide (sANF) contained within endogenous rat ANF was infused intravenously into conscious Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at doses from 12 to 190 pmol/minute. Mean arterial pressure fell progressively as doses of sANF were increased until maximum responses of -41 +/- 5 mm Hg and -29 +/- 5 mm Hg were obtained during infusion of 95 pmol/minute sANF in SHR and WKY, respectively. Heart rate was not significantly affected in either group. At sANF doses of 12 to 50 pmol/minute, urinary electrolyte excretion rose in a dose-related fashion and was similar in WKY and SHR. At infusions of 95 to 190 pmol/minute, the diuretic and saluretic responses were diminished in the hypertensive animals. Only the 190 pmol/minute sANF dose significantly enhanced cGMP excretion in SHR (p less than 0.05); however, in WKY urinary cGMP excretion was elevated in a dose-related fashion. At the highest sANF dose, cGMP excretion was approximately 15 times that observed in the pretreatment urine. The differences in the renal and blood pressure responses to sANF in SHR and WKY suggest that the actions of endogenous ANF may be altered in hypertension.

Comparison of renin and converting enzyme inhibition in sodium-deficient dogs.

While renin is a highly specific protease, converting enzyme has at least two principal substrates, angiotensin I and bradykinin. Changes in the rate of formation of angiotensin II or degradation of bradykinin can influence the hypotensive action of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The present study was designed to determine if there were differences in the maximal blood pressure reduction in Na-deficient dogs after angiotensin converting enzyme or renin inhibitor treatment. Five conscious dogs received 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of i.v. enalaprilat, a potent angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, which reduced blood pressure to 75 +/- 4, 71 +/- 5, and 71 +/- 5 mm Hg. Plasma immunoreactive angiotensin II levels were reduced in a dose-related fashion to 35% of control level at the highest dose. Infusion of a maximally effective dose of a statine-containing renin inhibitor (SCRIP) with the high dose of enalaprilat produced no further fall in blood pressure (68 +/- 7 mm Hg), but immunoreactive angiotensin II levels fell to essentially zero in four of five dogs. The order of drug administration was reversed in another experiment in a group of nine dogs in which SCRIP reduced plasma immunoreactive angiotensin II to 25% of control at 0.04 mg/kg/minute (n = 5), with reduction to near zero levels at higher doses. Maximal blood pressure reduction was achieved at 0.32 to 0.64 mg/kg/minute (76 +/- 4 mm Hg); 1 mg/kg of enalaprilat lowered blood pressure an additional 11 +/- 2 mm Hg (p less than 0.01) while not further decreasing immunoreactive angiotensin II levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Central and peripheral actions of a nonpeptidic angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Nonpeptidic imidazole derivatives were recently reported to be angiotensin II receptor antagonists with acute blood pressure-lowering activity. In the present study, we characterized the angiotensin II receptor antagonist properties of one such derivative, 4'-([2-butyl-4-chloro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]methyl)- [1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic acid (IMI). In receptor binding studies, IMI displaced bound [125I]angiotensin II from rat uterine membranes with an IC50 of 0.17 microM. In isolated rabbit aortic rings, IMI shifted the angiotensin II concentration-response curve to the right in a parallel and concentration-dependent manner. A Schild plot of these data indicated a pA2 of 7.13 +/- 0.16 and a slope of 0.94 +/- 0.06. In rat kidney slices, IMI shifted the concentration-response curve for angiotensin II-induced inhibition of renin release to the right. Antagonism of the angiotensin II pressor response by IMI was dose dependent and reversible in ganglion-blocked, anesthetized rats. The water intake and pressor responses to intracerebroventricular angiotensin II (100 pmol) were inhibited by intracerebroventricular IMI (25 or 50 nmol) in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. Similarly, the drinking and pressor responses to intravenous angiotensin II were blocked by intravenous IMI in conscious rats. IMI alone had no effects on mean arterial pressure or drinking when administered either intravenously or intracerebroventricularly. IMI decreased mean arterial pressure throughout 5 days of infusion in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In summary, IMI was a full competitive antagonist without partial agonist activity in peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. Moreover, the chronic administration of this angiotensin II receptor antagonist was antihypertensive in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Pharmacokinetics of synthetic atrial natriuretic peptides in normal men.

The kinetics of atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) and the kinetic profile of their effect on blood pressure and renal hemodynamic and electrolyte excretion were investigated in 20 salt-loaded healthy volunteers during and after constant rate infusion. At steady state, mean plasma concentrations of ANP were measured at 210, 430, and 2990 pg/ml and mean systemic clearance was 2.6, 2.5, and 1.7 L/min for ANP infusion rates of 0.5, 1, and 5 micrograms/min, respectively, which corresponds to the clearance rate of other vasoactive peptide hormones. The apparent volume of distribution averaged 17 L and the mean half-life was 4.5 minutes. ANP induced dose-related effects on systemic and renal hemodynamic, as well as urinary electrolyte excretion, albeit with a time lag between onset and full effect.

Utilization of swine to study the risk factor of an elevated salt diet on blood pressure.

Two homogeneous groups of castrated swine were fed identical diets except that one contained an increased sodium chloride content. The diets were initiated at weaning age and the blood pressure of the pig was followed for 8 months. Blood pressures were measured with an automatic blood pressure recorder for a 1-week period every 4th week. At the end of 8 months, the group on the high salt diet had blood pressure elevated above that of the group on the low salt diet.

Synthesis and biological activity of 3-amino-5-(3,5-diamino-6-chloropyrazin-2-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole: an amiloride prodrug.

The pyrazinyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles 4a and 4b were synthesized by two different approaches. The corresponding N-methyloxadiazolium salts 13a and 13b were also prepared. These compounds were evaluated for their diuretic and saluretic activity in rats and dogs. All compounds exhibited electrolyte excretion profiles similar to amiloride 1. The facile conversion of 4a to 1 was demonstrated chemically and in vivo in both rats and dogs.

Prostaglandin isosteres. 2. Chain-modified thiazolidinone prostaglandin analogues as renal vasodilators.

Chain modification of a thiazolidinone prostaglandin isostere has led to the production of 4-[3-[3-[2-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethyl]-4-oxo-2-thiazolidinyl]propyl] benzoic acid (5b) which at 1 mg/kg po in the conscious dog causes a 70% increase in renal blood flow over control values with a duration of action exceeding 5 h. Preliminary testing indicates that 5b has a relatively specific action on the vasculature of the kidney. The enantiomers of 5b have been separated and the renal vasodilatory activity has been found to be entirely a property of the R-(+) enantiomer.

Renin inhibitors. Syntheses of subnanomolar, competitive, transition-state analogue inhibitors containing a novel analogue of statine.

Analogues of the renin octapeptide substrate were synthesized in which replacement of the scissile dipeptide with (3S,4S)-4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid (statine, Sta) transformed the substrate sequence into potent, transition-state analogue, competitive inhibitors of renin. Synthesis and incorporation of the cyclohexylalanyl analogue of Sta, (3S,4S)-4-amino-5-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxypentanoic acid (ACHPA), gave the most potent inhibitors of renin yet reported, including N-isovaleryl-L-histidyl-L-prolyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-histidyl-ACHPA-L -leucyl-L- phenylalanyl amide [Iva-His-Pro-Phe-His-ACHPA-Leu-Phe-NH2,3], with renin inhibitions of Ki = 1.6 X 10(-10) M (human kidney renin), IC50 = 1.7 X 10(-10)M (human plasma renin), IC50 = 1.9 X 10(-9)M (dog plasma renin), and IC50 = 2.1 X 10(-8) M (rat plasma renin). This inhibitor 3, containing ACHPA, was 55-76 times more potent vs. human renin than the comparable Sta-containing inhibitor 1 and 17 times more potent vs. dog renin than 1. Inhibitor 3 lowered blood pressure in sodium-deficient dogs, with in vivo potency 19 times that shown by 1, in close agreement with the relative in vitro potencies. Structure-activity results are presented that show the minimal N-terminus for these inhibitors. An ACHPA-containing pentapeptide, N-[(ethyloxy)carbonyl]-L-phenylalanyl-L- histidyl-ACHPA-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanyl amide [Etoc-Phe-His-ACHPA-Leu-Phe-NH2,8], retained subnanomolar inhibitory potency. Molecular modelling studies are described that suggested the design of ACHPA.