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ABSTRACT: 1. The antinociceptive activity of the bradykinin (BK) BK2 receptor antagonist D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5D-Tic7,Oic8]BK (Hoe 140) was determined in a range of mouse abdominal constriction assays. 2. Hoe 140 potently inhibited the response induced by i.p. injection of 10 micrograms BK/mouse, and 1 microgram BK/mouse in mice pre-sensitized by i.p. injection of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The ED50 values in these assays were 1.9 and 3.7 micrograms kg-1 respectively. This confirms that Hoe 140 is a potent antagonist of BK in vivo. 3. Hoe 140 produced potent, but incomplete inhibition of the responses evoked by i.p. injection of kaolin or 0.25% acetic acid. ED25 values in these assays were 2.7 and 16.1 micrograms kg-1, and the maximum inhibition produced was 60% and 70% respectively. 4. At doses up to 1 mg kg-1, Hoe 140 was completely ineffective against the abdominal constriction response induced by zymosan. In contrast, morphine, ibuprofen and indomethacin had similar potencies against zymosan, kaolin and acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction. 5. Although zymosan, acetic acid and kaolin all produce qualitatively similar responses, it is appears that they achieve this by different mechanisms. The extent to which BK is involved as a mediator differs between the various types of abdominal constriction assay.
British Journal of Pharmacology 02/1993; 108(1):209-13. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper describes the synthesis of a series of N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamides 1, variously substituted at the carbon adjacent to the amide nitrogen (C1), and related analogues, together with their biological evaluation as opioid kappa agonists. In the first part of the study, the variants in N-acyl, N-alkyl, and amino functions were explored when the substituent at C1 was 1-methylethyl and the optimum was found to be exemplified by 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-(1-methylethyl)-2- (1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamide (13). Subsequently, racemic or chiral amino acids were used to introduce other alkyl and aryl substituents at C1 of the ethyl linking moiety. A series of potent compounds, bearing substituted-aryl groups at C1, were discovered, typified by 2-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1R,S)-1-(3-aminophenyl)-2-(1- pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamide (48), which was 5-fold more active as the racemate than 13 in vitro and exhibited potent naloxone-reversible analgesic effects (ED50 = 0.04 mg/kg sc) in a mouse abdominal constriction model.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 12/1991; 34(11):3149-58. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper describes the synthesis of a series of N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamides (1), methylated at C1 and/or C2 of the ethyl linking group, and their biological evaluation as opioid kappa agonists. Conformational analysis of corresponding desaryl analogues 2 suggested that only those compounds capable of occupying an energy minimum close to that of the known kappa agonist N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl] acetamide U-50488 might possess kappa agonist properties. Starting from chiral amino acids, other alkyl and aryl substituents were introduced at C1 of the ethyl-linking moiety, giving compounds capable of adopting the same conformation as U-50488. The most potent of these, 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl] acetamide (8), was 146-fold more active than U-50488 in vitro in the mouse vas deferens model and exhibited potent naloxone-reversible analgesic effects (ED50 = 0.004 mg/kg sc) in an abdominal constriction model.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 02/1991; 34(1):181-9. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The effects of adenosine, 5'-(N-ethyl)carboxamidoadenosine (NECA), 2-chloroadenosine (2-CA), N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) and N6(R-2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) on the tone of phenylephrine-constricted guinea-pig isolated aorta have been examined. For aortic relaxation the analogues exhibited the following rank order of potency: NECA greater than adenosine greater than 2-CA greater than R-PIA greater than CHA. This is consistent with previous reports that relaxation of this tissue is mediated by the adenosine A2 receptor. An unexpected finding was that R-PIA, 2-CA and CHA all induced contractions at concentrations lower than were required for relaxation, giving a biphasic dose-response curve. Neither NECA nor adenosine contracted the aorta. This is consistent with activation of vascular A1 receptors. An A1-selective concentration of the antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentyl xanthine abolished the contraction elicited by R-PIA in the guinea-pig aorta. This further suggests that the contraction is mediated by A1 receptors.
European Journal of Pharmacology 12/1990; 190(3):329-35. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A series of novel 1'-methylxanthene-9-spiro-4'-piperidines has been prepared in the search for opiate analgesics with improved pharmacological properties. It has been found that introduction of a hydroxyl group into the 4-position of the xanthenespiropiperidine nucleus produces a potent mu-opiate agonist. The structure-activity relationship of the series has been explored by use of isosteric replacements of the phenolic hydroxyl group. Moreover, the effect of altering the conformation of the piperidine ring has been studied. It was interesting to note that, in compounds lacking the phenolic hydroxyl group, opiate activity could be produced by introduction of the (phenylamino)ethyl group instead of methyl at the 1'-position.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 11/1989; 32(10):2357-62. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: 1. A number of compounds were evaluated in an attempt to identify a kappa-opioid receptor agonist with limited access to the central nervous system. 2. Quaternary derivatives of the kappa-opioid agonists tifluadom, U-50488H and ethylketocyclazocine were essentially devoid of opioid activity in a range of isolated tissue preparations. 3. A novel compound - ICI 204448 - is described which produced a potent and naloxone-reversible inhibition of electrically-evoked contraction of the guinea-pig ileum, mouse vas deferens and rabbit vas deferens preparations. ICI 204448 was shown to displace the binding of the kappa-opioid ligand [3H]-bremazocine from guinea-pig cerebellum membranes. 4. Ex vivo binding studies in mice showed ICI 204448 to be well absorbed following subcutaneous administration. The brain levels achieved by ICI 20448 were substantially lower than those produced by kappa-agonists such as U-50488H and tifluadom. 5. A good correlation was found for a range of opioids between lipophilicity and degree of CNS penetration.
British Journal of Pharmacology 05/1989; 96(4):986-92. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: 1. The antinociceptive activity of a range of opioid agonists and agonist-antagonist analgesics was determined in mice by use of the 55 degrees C hot plate and abdominal constriction assays. 2. Opioid agonists were approximately 10 times more effective in the abdominal constriction assay. 3. The agonist-antagonists produced analgesia only in the abdominal constriction assay, and antagonized the antinociceptive action of opioid agonists in the 55 degrees C hot plate test. 4. These differences were shown to be attributable to the different levels of stimulus employed in the two tests. 5. By comparing the antagonist potencies of the agonist-antagonists in the 55 degrees C hot plate test with their antinociceptive ED50 values in the abdominal constriction assay, an index of intrinsic activity was calculated.
British Journal of Pharmacology 11/1988; 95(2):578-84. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Three novel opioid agonists are described. These compounds were found to bind with high affinity and selectivity to the kappa-opioid receptor. Isolated tissue studies using the field-stimulated mouse vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum preparations confirmed the high agonist potency and naloxone-reversibility of these agents. All three compounds exhibited potent antinociceptive activity in the mouse abdominal constriction model. These compounds should prove useful as tools to investigate kappa-receptor function.
European Journal of Pharmacology 08/1988; 151(3):475-8. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: 1. Inhibition constant (Ki) were determined for a range of opioid standards using two binding assays; [3H]-[D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin ([3H]-GLYOL) binding to guinea-pig brain membranes in HEPES buffer and [3H]-naloxone binding to rat whole brain membranes in Krebs/HEPES buffer. 2. These values were compared with affinity measurements determined by antagonism of GLYOL on the rat isolated vas deferens preparation and by the receptor occlusion technique of Furchgott on the guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle, myenteric plexus preparation. 3. Agonists demonstrated markedly reduced binding affinity in the [3H]-naloxone binding assay where binding was conducted in the presence of sodium. 4. A strong correlation was obtained between Ki values from the [3H]-naloxone binding assay and affinity values determined in both isolated tissue preparations. Ki values obtained from [3H]-GLYOL binding did not correlate well with affinity data determined by isolated tissue techniques. 5. These findings suggest that functionally relevant receptors exhibit low agonist affinity.
British Journal of Pharmacology 07/1988; 94(2):625-31. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A new delta-selective opiate antagonist has been synthesised in which the two glycine residues of diallyl leucine enkephalin have been replaced by 4-aminobenzoic acid. The compound has a different conformation to that of ICI 174,864 (N,N-diallyl-Tyr-Aib-Aib-Phe-Leu).
NIDA research monograph 02/1986; 75:177-80.
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ABSTRACT: Symmetrical and unsymmetrical dimeric pentapeptide opioid antagonists have been prepared and studied on the mouse vas deferens preparation. The findings do not support the hypothesis that such agents bind to dimeric delta-opioid receptors.
NIDA research monograph 02/1986; 75:181-4.
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ABSTRACT: There is considerable variation in the potency of opioids across different animal models of antinociceptive activity. In the less sensitive tests the partial agonist analgesics behave as antagonists. The activity of opioids in antinociceptive tests appears to be dependent on both the intensity of the noxious stimulus and the intrinsic activity of the drug.
NIDA research monograph 02/1986; 75:438-41.
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ABSTRACT: Attempts have been made to confirm reports that naloxonazine and Mr2034 are able to selectively antagonise morphine-induced analgesia and respiratory depression respectively. In the present studies these antagonists proved to be equi-effective against both the analgesic and respiratory depressant effects of morphine, suggesting that these two actions are mediated by a common receptor.
Neuropeptides 01/1985; 5(1-3):85-8. · 1.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Mu-receptor affinities have been determined for a number of opioid drugs using a combination of isolated tissue and receptor binding techniques. The affinities of antagonists and partial agonists were determined by their ability to antagonise responses to [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Glyol5]enkephalin (GLYOL) on the rat vas deferens preparation. There was little correlation between these results and affinities measured by displacement of [3H]-GLYOL from guinea-pig brain membranes incubated in 50mM Tris buffer. By contrast, affinities measured by displacement of [3H]-naloxone from rat brain membranes incubated in a Krebs/HEPES buffer containing a non-hydrolysable analogue of GTP, agreed very closely with the isolated tissue data.
Neuropeptides 01/1985; 5(1-3):89-92. · 1.55 Impact Factor
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European Journal of Pharmacology 02/1984; 97(3-4):331-2. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Diallylation of the amino group of [Leu]enkephalin methyl ester yields a moderately potent, delta-selective opiate receptor antagonist. The diallyl congeners of a larger range of potent mu-and delta-selective enkephalin agonists have been prepared and were found to be weak, non-selective antagonists as assessed by their ability to antagonise the effects of normorphine and [Leu]enkephalin on the field-stimulated mouse vas deferens. Conversely, whereas [Gly3 psi (CH2S)Phe4,Leu5]enkephalin and [Gly3 psi(CH2S)-D-Phe4,Leu5]enkephalin are virtually inactive as opiate agonists the corresponding diallyl analogues are moderately potent, highly selective delta-antagonists. Analogues of diallyl[Leu]enkephalin in which the Gly2 and Gly3 residues have been replaced by D- and L- Ala have also been prepared and tested as delta-receptor antagonists. In addition, the empiric energy program ECEPP has been used to derive eighteen low energy conformations of diallyl[Leu]enkephalin and to estimate the effect of the D- and L-Ala substitutions on the conformer energies. Two conformers were identified for which there was a partial correlation between the variations in conformational energy and delta-antagonist potency.
Life Sciences 02/1983; 33 Suppl 1:443-6. · 2.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and related compounds on rat isolated atria and mouse and guinea pig isolated vas deferens has been studied. GABA depressed the evoked but not basal release of [3H]noradrenaline from atria (IC50 4 micro M) and reduced the twitch responses of the vas deferens (IC50 3 micro M) in a dose-dependent manner. These depressant effects were not prevented by recognized GABA antagonists such as bicuculline and picrotoxin. Numerous GABA analogues, in particular 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid, failed to mimic the action of GABA. However, beta-p-chlorophenyl GABA (baclofen) was stereospecifically active. Other related beta-substituted derivatives were also active but to a lesser degree than GABA. Pretreatment of the vas deferens with the neuronal GABA uptake inhibitors 2,4-diaminobutyric acid or cis-3-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid potentiated the action of GABA. These data suggest the presence of a bicuculline-insensitive GABA receptor on autonomic nerve terminals. Preliminary observations indicate a lack of chloride ion dependence in the action of GABA at this site.
European Journal of Pharmacology 05/1981; 71(1):53-70. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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British Journal of Pharmacology 12/1979; 67(3):444P-445P. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The opiate agonist potency of thirteen synthetic enkephalin pentapeptides has been examined on the electrically stimulated guinea pig ileum and mouse vas deferens preparations in comparison with methionine and leucine enkephalins, beta-endorphin and normorphine. Their antagonism by naloxone (Ke) was also assessed on each preparation. Our findings are compatible with, and are discussed in the context of, the hypothesis that these preparations possess at least two populations of receptors.
European Journal of Pharmacology 07/1978; 49(3):313-7. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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British Journal of Pharmacology 12/1977; 61(3):481P-482P. · 4.41 Impact Factor