Search

Trisubstituted pyridazines were synthesized and evaluated as in vitro inhibitors of p38MAPK. The most active isomers were those possessing an aryl group alpha and a heteroaryl group beta relative to the nitrogen atom in the 2-position of the central pyridazine. Additionally, substitution in the 6-position of the central pyridazine with a variety of dialkylamino substituents afforded a set of inhibitors having good (p38 IC50 1-20 nM) in vitro activity.

A novel, nonpeptidyl thrombin inhibitor, L-636,619 (1), was identified via topological similarity searching over the Merck Corporate Sample Database. X-ray crystallographic studies determined the geometry for ligand binding to the enzyme. Chemical modification of the P1 and P3 segments of the ligand resulted in enhanced potency and improvement in the chemical stability of the lead. Analog 9 proved to be the most interesting lead from this structurally novel series.

Dorzolamide, on the basis of its pharmacological profile and lack of undesirable side effects in safety assessment studies together with the fact that it could be formulated in solution at 2%, underwent extensive clinical studies. Early clinical studies in the development of dorzolamide have been described elsewhere (Maren, 1995; Serle and Podos, 1995). In a 1-year study in which a comparison was undertaken in patients for intraocular pressure lowering effects between 2% dorzolamide administered three times daily, 0.5% betaxolol twice daily, and 0.5% timolol twice daily, the peak reductions in intraocular pressure were 23, 21, and 25%, respectively. Tachyphylaxis did not develop to dorzolamide nor were electrolyte and/or systemic side effects encountered (Strahlman et al., 1995). The latter is consistent with results of a pharmacokinetic study in humans in which plasma levels of dorzolamide were lower than the limit of detection (5 ng/ml) at a time when the red blood cell content of dorzolamide had reached steady state which was appreciably less than the red blood cell content of the enzyme (Biollaz et al., 1995). Patients taking 0.5% timolol twice daily received either 2% dorzolamide twice daily or 2% pilocarpine four times daily for 6 months and the additional reductions in intraocular pressure elicited by dorzolamide and pilocarpine were very similar. However, pilocarpine usage resulted in a higher discontinuation rate (Strahlman et al., 1996). In a separate study in which dorzolamide and pilocarpine were compared at these dosage schedules, patients preferred dorzolamide to pilocarpine by a ratio of over 7 to 1 in terms of quality of life (Laibovitz et al., 1995). In summary, the quest for a topical, ocular hypotensive, CA inhibitor, though time-consuming, was a successful one with the introduction of dorzolamide into general clinical practice.

The 3-dimensional structure of human carbonic anhydrase II (HCAII; EC 4.2.1.1) complexed with 3 structurally related inhibitors, 1a, 1b, and 1c, has been determined by X-ray crystallographic methods. The 3 inhibitors (1a = C8H12N2O4S3) vary only in the length of the substituent on the 4-amino group: 1a, proton; 1b, methyl; and 1c, ethyl. The binding constants (Ki's) for 1a, 1b, and 1c to HCAII are 1.52, 1.88, and 0.37 nM, respectively. These structures were solved to learn if any structural cause could be found for the difference in binding. In the complex with inhibitors 1a and 1b, electron density can be observed for His-64 and a bound water molecule in the native positions. When inhibitor 1c is bound, the side chain attached to the 4-amino group is positioned so that His-64 can only occupy the alternate position and the bound water is absent. While a variety of factors contribute to the observed binding constants, the major reason 1c binds tighter to HCAII than does 1a or 1b appears to be entropy: the increase in entropy when the bound water molecule is released contributes to the increase in binding and overcomes the small penalty for putting the His-64 side chain in a higher energy state.

L-671,152 is a water-soluble, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor structurally similar to MK-927, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that, on topical administration, lowers the intraocular pressure (IOP) of experimental animals and humans. L-671,152 was more potent than MK-927 at inhibiting purified, human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase II in vitro, as reflected in their respective IC50 values of 0.16 nM and 1.19 nM. Both compounds were compared for topical, ocular hypotensive activity in pigmented rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys. Ocular hypertension was induced in the latter by argon laser photocoagulation of the trabecular meshwork. A 2% solution of L-671,152 was more potent than 2% MK-927 in lowering the IOP of ocular hypertensive monkeys, the maximum reductions being 13.8 mm Hg (37%) and 9.6 mm Hg (27%) at 5 hr and 4 hr, respectively. Moreover, the duration of action of L-671,152 was superior to that of MK-927. The ocular hypotensive effect of L-671,152 was greater than that of MK-927 over a range of concentrations (0.5%-2%) in pigmented rabbits whose IOP was inherently elevated. The peak declines in the IOP of these rabbits after the instillation of 2% solutions of L-671,152 and MK-927 were 6.1 mm Hg and 4.8 mm Hg, respectively. L-671,152 was very effective in lowering the elevated IOP of alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits and the unilateral instillation of 0.5% L-671,152 into the contralateral eye failed to decrease the elevated IOP of the alpha-chymotrypsinized eye. This finding indicates that the site of action of topically applied L-671,152 is local. The enhancement in the potency of L-671,152 over MK-927 is attributed to a greater inhibition of carbonic anhydrase activity.

MK-927 (dl-5,6-dihydro-4-(2-methylpropylamino)-4H-thieno(2,3b)thiopyra n-2-sulfonamide-7,7-dioxide hydrochloride) is a water soluble, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) possessing a Ki of 12.0 nM against purified human carbonic anhydrase II in vitro. The acute instillation of one drop (50 microliters) of 0.5%, 1% and 2% solutions of MK-927 maximally decreased the intraocular pressure (IOP) of ocular hypertensive, cynomolgus monkeys by 4.7, 5.9 and 9.6 mm Hg, respectively. The decline of 9.6 mm Hg represented a reduction of 27% from the corresponding vehicle-treated value of 35.3 mm Hg. Peak reductions in IOP were present at 2 to 4 hr after the instillation of the three doses and the ocular hypotensive effect was waning at 6 hr. The IOP of normotensive, monkey eyes was significantly lowered by 1% and 2% solutions of MK-927 with the effect being more transient in these eyes than in hypertensive eyes. The elevated IOP of alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits was dose-dependently decreased by 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.5% solutions of MK-927. MK-927 modestly bound to rabbit ocular pigment in vitro and the concentrations of MK-927 in the iris + ciliary body of pigmented rabbits were higher than those in the same tissue of albino rabbits after dosing with 0.5% MK-927. The ocular hypotensive effect of 2% MK-927 was greater in magnitude and longer in duration in normal pigmented than in albino rabbits. The IOP lowering action of MK-927 was local as evidenced by results of ocular distribution studies and the observation that the unilateral instillation of 0.5% MK-927 into the contralateral eye was devoid of effect on the untreated, hypertensive eye of alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits. MK-927 has been selected for topical evaluation in glaucoma patients.

The aminohydroxypropoxy moiety has been incorporated into the dihydrolutidine class of vasodilators. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat, one of these, (S)-4-[2-methyl-4-[3-(tert-butylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]-3,5-dicarboethoxy-1,4-dihydrolutidine (4c), exhibited antihypertensive activity on the order of the standard 4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3,5-dicarboethoxy-1,4-dihydrolutidine (2a). This antihypertensive activity could not be explained in terms of a vasodilating effect, as determined in the dog. In this latter model, 2a decreased both mean arterial and hindlimb perfusion pressures.

Modification of the pharmacological profile of the vasodilating/beta-adrenergic blocking agent 2-[4-[3-(tert-butylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)imidazole (1) has been investigated. Introduction of selected substitutents onto the imidazole ring, in place of the trifluoromethyl group, has yielded highly cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agents such as 7, 17, and 18. The placement of alkyl or chloro groups onto the aryl ring of 1, as illustrated by 33, has produced a class of compounds characterized as antihypertensive beta-adrenergic blocking agents. In these examples, the acute antihypertensive activity does not appear to be due to either vasodilating or beta 2-agonist properties.

An attempt to develop a highly cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) focused on exploring structure-activity relationships around (S)-[p-[3-[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy] phenyl]-4-(2-thienyl)imidazole. Strategies to reduce or eliminate ISA centered on structural changes that could influence activation of the receptor by the drug itself or by a metabolite. The approaches involved (a) eliminating the acidic imidazole N-H proton, (b) incorporating substituents ortho to the beta-adrenergic blocking side chain, (c) increasing steric bulk around the N-H moiety, (d) decreasing lipophilicity, (e) introducing intramolecular hydrogen bonding involving the imidazole N-H, and (f) displacing the imidazole ring from an activating position by the incorporation of a spacer element. The compounds were investigated in vitro for beta-adrenoceptor antagonism and in vivo for ISA. From these studies, the most successful variation involved the insertion of a spacer between the imidazole and aryl rings. (S)-4-Acetyl-2-[[4-[3-[[2-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]methyl] imidazole (S-51) was demonstrated to be highly cardioselective (dose ratio beta 2/beta 1 greater than 9333) and devoid of ISA.

L-653,328 is the acetate ester of L-652,698 ((S)-3-tert-butylamino-1-[4-[2(hydroxy)ethyl]phenoxy]2-propanol). The penetration of L-652,698 into the albino rabbit eye was enhanced when the compound was instilled as its prodrug acetate ester. The instillation (one drop of 50 microliter) of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1% solutions of L-653,328 significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits by 3.2, 4.7 and 6.1 mm Hg, respectively. A 0.01% solution of L-652,698 failed to significantly lower IOP, whereas this dose of timolol (3.8 mm Hg) and betaxolol (3.3 mm Hg) was effective. L-652,698 was active at 0.05% and 0.1%. Extraocular beta-adrenoceptor blockade was quantified in ganglion-blocked, conscious rabbits by determining effects on heart rate and blood pressure changes to i.v. isoproterenol (0.5 microgram/kg). Doses of timolol blocking isoproterenol-induced hypotension and tachycardia by 50% were 0.0065% and 0.03%, respectively. The corresponding doses for betaxolol were greater than 3% (43% inhibition) and 0.3%. Heart rate and blood pressure changes to isoproterenol were blocked by 18 and 36%, respectively, after the instillation of a 3% solution of L-653,328. The reduced propensity of L-653,328 for extraocular beta-adrenoceptor blockade stems from the modest affinity of L-652,698, its active moiety, for beta-adrenoceptors. The Ki values of L-652,698 for displacement of 125I-iodocyanopindolol binding to beta 1-(left ventricle) and beta 2-binding sites (iris + ciliary body) in the rabbit were 5.7 microM and 7.3 microM, respectively. In marked contrast, the corresponding values for timolol were 12 nM and 1.8 nM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The synthesis of a series of isoelectronic analogues of (S)-2-[3-(tert-butylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-3-cyanopyridine (1) are described; included in this group are examples of thiazole, isothiazole, thiadiazole, pyrazine, and the structurally related naphthyridines. All of the compounds are similar to 1 in that they contain a cyano group ortho to the aminohydroxypropoxy side chain and meta to the nitrogen heteroatom. In addition, several related examples, having additional nuclear substituents and/or groups other than CN in the position adjacent to the aminohydroxypropoxy group, were prepared, and beta-adrenoceptor antagonist activity and vasodilating potency were determined. Three compounds, thiazole 2 and isothiazoles 3 and 27, effectively lowered mean arterial pressure in the SH rat at 5 mg/kg. Compounds 2, 3, and 27 increased iliac blood flow and exhibited beta-adrenergic blocking properties in the dog.

A series of 2-[4-[3-(substituted-amino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]imidazoles is described. The compounds were investigated in vitro for beta-adrenoceptor antagonism, and several examples were found to be selective for the beta 1-adrenoceptor. The structure--activity relationship exhibited by this series of compounds is discussed. (S)-2-[p-[3-[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl]-4-(2 -thienyl)imidazole [(S)-13] was over 100 times more selective than atenolol for the beta 1-adrenergic receptor and has been selected for in-depth studies.

An attempt to develop a water-soluble carbonic anhydrase inhibitor focused on exploring structure-activity relationships in the thienothiopyransulfonamide class. The strategy to influence water solubility while retaining carbonic anhydrase activity involved the introduction of a hydroxyl moiety and adjusting the oxidation state of the sulfur on the thiopyran portion of the molecule. Compounds 4 and 17 best fit the criteria of aqueous solubility and inhibitory potency vs. human carbonic anhydrase II and are candidates for evaluation as topically effective antiglaucoma agents.

The syntheses of 2-phenyl- and 2-pyridyl-4-trifluoromethylimidazoles having a 3-tert-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy moiety attached to the aryl or heteroaryl substituent are described. Structure--activity relationships based on results from an evaluation of these compounds for antihypertensive, vasodilating, and beta-adrenergic blocking activities are discussed.

A series of 28 4-substituted and 4,5-disubstituted 2-pyridylimidazoles was synthesized and evaluated in vitro for inhibition of xanthine oxidase. Included within this group are examples of 2-pyridylimidazopyridines and halo-substituted 2-pyridylbenzimidazoles. Five compounds exhibited inhibitory activity in the same range as the standards, 4-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine and 2-(4-pyridyl)-4-trifluoromethylimidazole (22). Two examples, 2-(4-pyridyl)-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (16) and 2-(4-pyridyl)-4-nitroimidazole (3), were at least an order of magnitude more active than the standards and therefore rank among the most potent known inhibitors of the enzyme.