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1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vivo pharmacological profile of CP-122,288, an indole-derivative with a conformationally restricted N-methylpyrrolidinyl basic side chain in the C-3 position. This C-3 substituent structurally differentiates CP-122,288 from the 5-HT1D receptor agonist sumatriptan, which possesses an N,N-dimethylaminoethyl group. [Formula: see text] 2. When administered prior to electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion, CP-122,288 (0.3-300 ng kg-1, i.v.) produced a dose-related inhibition of plasma protein extravasation in rat dura mater (minimum effective dose, MED, 3 ng kg-1 i.v., P < 0.05; maximal inhibition of plasma extravasation at 30 ng kg-1 i.v., P < 0.01). Sumatriptan produced a similar inhibition of plasma leakage in the dura, but at much higher dose levels (MED, 100 micrograms kg-1 i.v., P < 0.05). Thus, CP-122,288 is of the order of 10(4) fold more potent than sumatriptan. 3. At all doses tested, CP-122,288 did not inhibit plasma protein extravasation measured in extracranial tissues such as the lower lip, eyelid, and conjunctiva. 4. In a separate series of studies in the anaesthetized rat, CP-122,288 (0.003-3 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) produced no change in either heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure, thus demonstrating that doses of CP-122,288 which inhibit plasma protein leakage in rat dura, are devoid of hemodynamic effects. 5. Following a 5 min period of electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion, a 20 min period of sustained neurogenically-driven plasma extravasation, occurring in the absence of electrical stimulation, was initiated. By administration of the compound 5 min after completing the phase of electrical stimulation, this protocol permitted the evaluation of the activity of CP-122,288 on an ongoing and established inflammatory event. CP-122,288 (30 and 300 ng kg-1, i.v., P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) produced a complete inhibition of plasma protein leakage which was consistent with its effects when administered prior to trigeminal ganglion stimulation. 6. In the anaesthetized dog, CP-122,288 and sumatriptan, at 1-300 micrograms kg-1, i.v., produced a dose-dependent reduction in carotid arterial blood flow and coronary arterial diameter. These data demonstrate that sumatriptan inhibits neurogenic inflammation in the rat (MED, 100 micrograms kg-1, i.v.), and produces vasoconstriction in the dog, over a similar dose-range. Interestingly, doses of CP-122,288 that inhibit neurogenic inflammation in rat dura mater (0.3-300 ng kg-1) were demonstrated to be devoid of vasoconstrictor activity in either the carotid or coronary vascular beds of dog. 7. These data demonstrate that in the rat, CP-122,288 is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of neurogenic inflammation in intracranial tissues, at doses which are devoid of vasoconstrictor activity in dog. Potentially, CP-122,288 may be of use for the acute treatment of migraine, without the risk of cardiovascular side-effects.

Neurogenic oedema formation in the rat hind paw skin induced by electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve and measured by extravasation of [125I]-albumin, was inhibited by the 5-HT1B receptor agonist, CP-93,129, and the novel tryptamine analogue, CP-122,288. Significant inhibition of up to 66% of control was observed with CP-122,288 (2 x 10(-14) - 2 x 10(-7) mol kg-1) and CP-93,129 (5 x 10(-7) - 5 x 10(-6) mol kg-1), with the minimum effective dose for CP-122,288 being about 10(7) fold less than that for CP-93,129. Oedema formation induced by the intradermal administration of exogenous mediators (substance P and histamine) in rat dorsal skin was not inhibited by CP-122,288 (2 x 10(-10) mol kg-1). These results suggest that CP-122,288 is a potent inhibitor of neurogenic inflammation in rat skin and that the effect may be due to a prejunctional inhibition of neuropeptide release.

The current study investigated the effect of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), and of captopril, on the survival and heart weight of cardiomyopathic hamsters (CMH). Groups of 51 CMH (about 200 days old) were orally treated with HCTZ (6 mg/kg), captopril (30 mg/kg), a combination of both drugs or vehicle alone (control group), for 217 days. Then survivors were sacrificed and the hearts weighed. The survival of the animals treated with HCTZ alone or in combination with captopril was similar, and was clearly increased when compared to controls (more than 70 days increase in median survival time). A more modest increase in survival occurred in animals treated with captopril alone. The efficacy of the diuretic therapy was consistent with fluid retention being the primary cause of death in CMH and demonstrated the usefulness of the model for the testing of new diuretics. HCTZ or captopril alone had no effect on the heart weight of survivors. However a reduction of cardiac hypertrophy (-18%) was seen when captopril and HCTZ were coadministered. This effect of the ACE inhibitor was considered to result from antagonism of the compensatory activation of the renin-angiotensin system occurring in response to diuretic therapy.

The effects of candoxatrilat (cis-4-([2-carboxy-3-(2-methoxyethoxy)propyl]-1-cyclopentanecarbonyla mino)- 1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid) and the ring-deleted atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) analogue C-ANF4-23 (des[Gln18, Ser19, Gly20, Leu21, Gly22]ANF4-23-NH2) on the clearance of (3-[125I]iodotyrosyl28)ANF (125I-ANF) were studied in both intact and nephrectomized anaesthetized rats. HPLC analysis was used to verify that the 125I-labelled material isolated by solid phase extraction of rat plasma was intact ANF. In intact animals, clearance of 125I-ANF was biphasic with a T1/2 alpha of 17 sec and T1/2 beta of 95 sec. Volume of distribution (Vd) was 564 mL/kg and plasma clearance (Clp) 248 mL/min/kg. Candoxatrilat, over the dose range 0.01-10 mg/kg i.v., increased T1/2 beta (by a maximum of 56%) and decreased Clp (by up to 52%) with no effect on T1/2 alpha or Vd. C-ANF4-23 (10 micrograms/kg+1 microgram/kg/min i.v.) reduced Vd (by 57%) and Clp (by 54%) with no effect on T1/2 beta, whilst abolishing the T1/2 alpha phase in over 50% of animals. Increasing the dose of C-ANF4-23 did not increase the effect on any of these parameters, apart from a small increase in T1/2 beta. Combining the two agents resulted in a substantial decrease in Clp (76%) whilst the reduction in Vd and increase in T1/2 beta were comparable to those seen with C-ANF4-23 and candoxatrilat alone, respectively. In nephrectomized rats, the pharmacokinetics of 125I-ANF and the changes induced by candoxatrilat were similar to those observed in intact animals, whilst the effects of C-ANF4-23 alone were greater than in intact animals. The combination of C-ANF4-23 and candoxatrilat again produced a substantial increase in T1/2 beta (153%) and decreases in Vd (55%) and Clp (78%) in nephrectomized animals, although these changes could not be distinguished from those seen in intact animals treated with the same combination. Our studies indicate that neutral endopeptidase and ANF-C receptors are both major, and approximately equal, clearance mechanisms for 125I-ANF, together accounting for at least 75% of the total clearance of this peptide in the rat.

We have demonstrated that in anaesthetized rats. (+/-) candoxatrilat reduces the clearance of both 125IANF and ANF 5-28, and prolongs the elimination half-life. These effects occur independent of glomerular filtration, since they are not attenuated by nephrectomy. Moreover, they cannot be attributed to blockade of ANF-C receptors. Our findings suggest that (+/-)candoxatrilat exerts its activity in vivo by specific inhibition of atriopeptidase at both renal and extra-renal locations.

An approach to the design of potential combined antithrombotic-antihypertensive agents is described. A series of 1,4-dihydropyridines bearing a 1H-imidazol-1-yl or pyrid-3-yl substituted side chain in the 2-position were synthesized and tested for antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats and for inhibition of TXA2 synthetase in rabbit platelets, in vitro. 1,4-Dihydro-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-6-methyl- 4-(3-nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid 3-ethyl 5-methyl diester (1) was shown to be similar in potency to nitrendipine as an antihypertensive agent. Compound 1 inhibited TXA2 synthetase in rabbit and human platelets in vitro and reduced plasma TXB2 levels in rats at antihypertensive dose levels. The reductions in thromboxane production observed in vivo and in vitro were accompanied by enhanced levels of 6-KPGF1 alpha, reflecting diversion of the arachidonic acid cascade toward prostacyclin synthesis.

The potencies and selectivities of a novel series of benzoquinolizines for the alpha 2-adrenoceptor have been investigated in the rat in comparison with yohimbine and indoramin. Peripheral postjunctional alpha 2- and alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade was measured as the reversal of B-HT 933 and methoxamine-induced pressor responses, respectively, in the pithed rat. Peripheral prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade was measured as the reversal of B-HT 933-induced inhibition of an electrically evoked tachycardia in the pithed rat. Central alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade was measured as a reversal of the hypotension induced in anaesthetized rats by central (i.c.v.) administration of clonidine. Wy 25309, Wy 26392, Wy 26703 and yohimbine (0.3-3 mg kg-1 i.v.) evoked dose-dependent shifts to the right of the dose-response curves to B-HT 933 whilst having minimal effects on the methoxamine dose-response curve. The selectivity for alpha 2-adrenoceptors increased with the dose of antagonist administered. In general, the order of selectivity was Wy 25309 greater than Wy 26392 greater than Wy 26703 greater than yohimbine. Indoramin (1 mg kg-1 i.v.) shifted the methoxamine pressor dose-response curve to the right without affecting the B-HT 933 dose-response curves, confirming its selective alpha 1-antagonist activity. Peripheral administration of all three benzoquinolizines (1-100 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) led to a dose-dependent reversal of the hypotension evoked by central administration of clonidine (500 ng i.c.v.). The reversal was incomplete, higher doses causing a further decrease in blood pressure. A similar degree of hypotension induced by the ganglion blocking agent chlorisondamine (1 mg kg- I i.v.) was not reversed by the benzoquinolizines. 9 It is concluded that Wy 25309, Wy 26392 and Wy 26703 are selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists which readily penetrate the CNS.

The cardioregulatory properties of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker indoramin have been compared with those of prazosin in the anaesthetized rat. The effects of autonomic blockade on heart rate responses evoked by these two agents and their effects on blood pressure and heart rate after peripheral or central administration have been compared. Cumulative administration of indoramin (0.8-25.6 mg kg-1 i.v.) evoked significant decreases in arterial blood pressure and a concomitant bradycardia. Pithing or autonomic blockade, by pretreatment with a combination of practolol and bilateral vagotomy, prevented the bradycardia evoked by indoramin (0.8-3.2 mg kg-1 i.v.). Atropine sulphate pretreatment abolished the bradycardia until a cumulative dose of 25.6 mg kg-1(i.v.) of indoramin had been reached. Bilateral vagotomy, intravenous administration of atropine methylnitrate or practolol pretreatment attenuated the bradycardia. Prazosin (0.02-0.64 mg kg-1 i.v.) evoked a fall in arterial blood pressure of similar magnitude to that observed following indoramin. A bradycardia was evoked only at a relatively high dose (0.64 mg kg-1 i.v.). Intracisternal injection of indoramin or prazosin evoked bradycardia and hypotension at a dose which had no effect after intravenous injection (25 micrograms). Intracerebroventricular injection of indoramin (25 micrograms) had no significant effect on heart rate or blood pressure compared to control values, whereas prazosin (25 micrograms) evoked a significant tachycardia and hypotension. It is concluded that the bradycardia evoked by indoramin in the rat is not due to a direct action on the heart except possibly at high doses. Central alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade, possibly in the brainstem region, results in a bradycardia and this may explain the lack of reflex tachycardia following the administration of indoramin.

The modulation of noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves by presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors has now been demonstrated in a variety of tissues. The heart is a particularly useful organ in which to study the modulation of noradrenaline release both in vivo and in vitro for two reasons: (a) the postsynaptic adrenoceptors are of the beta-subtype; and (b) the ease with which the sympathetic nerve supply can be isolated and stimulated electrically. Blood vessels however have been difficult to study directly due to the fact that they possess postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors and to the lack of a good in vivo model of a discrete vascular bed. Using both in vivo and in vitro preparations, it was demonstrated that the sympathetic innervation of the heart and blood vessels possesses a functional negative feedback system modulating noradrenaline release mediated via alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The effect of this system depends upon the frequency of nerve stimulation and the total number of stimuli. This article covers some of the more recent contributions to the understanding of the presynaptic modulation of noradrenaline release that have been made by the study of the peripheral cardiovascular system.

In patas monkeys fed a high cholesterol diet, chronic dosing with the antihypertensive agent indoramin increases the cholesterol ratio by raising the plasma HDL-C concentration. Epidemiological evidence suggests that increasing HDL-C reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). If, therefore, indoramin is able to evoke these changes in man it may be expected to favourably influence the progress of CHD.

Wy 27569 (1,4 dihydro-2-[imidazol-1-yl-methyl]-6-methyl-4- [3-nitrophenyl] pyridine-3,5, dicarboxylic acid 3-ethyl 5-methyl diester) is a combined calcium channel blocker and thromboxane synthetase inhibitor. This article reports the in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies demonstrating these properties. Wy 27569 evoked rightward shifts and depressed the maximum of calcium dose response curves in potassium depolarised rat aortas [concentration required to inhibit the response by 50% (IC50) = 7.3 nM]. The calcium channel blocker nitrendipine exhibited a similar profile to, although more potent than, Wy 27569 (IC50 = 0.28 nM). Comparison of the data obtained in aortas with the effects of these compounds in electrically stimulated isolated ventricle strips (IC50 for Wy 27569 = 8.3 microM, IC50 for nitrendipine = 0.41 microM) suggests that Wy 27569, like nitrendipine, is a vascular selective calcium channel blocker. Wy 27569 and the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor dazoxiben inhibited the collagen-stimulated production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2, IC50 = 3.9 and 2.8 microM, respectively) and, over the same concentration range, enhanced the production of immunoreactive 6 keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (6 keto-PGF1 alpha) by human platelet rich plasma. Single doses of Wy 27569 (0.3-10 mg kg-1 p.o.) or dazoxiben (3-10 mg kg-1 p.o.) evoked a dose-related reduction of TXB2 and enhancement of immunoreactive 6 keto PGF1 alpha levels in rat plasma and serum. Nitrendipine (0.3-10 mg kg-1 p.o.) had no significant effect on either eicosanoid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alpha 1 but not alpha 2-adrenoceptors mediate contractions of the cat nictitating membrane. The contractions of this tissue evoked by alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists, but not those evoked by angiotensin II, are potentiated by pre-dosing with alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists. This potentiation is reversed by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, WY 26392. Pressor responses evoked by alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists or angiotensin II were not affected by alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists. Contractions of the nictitating membrane evoked by noradrenaline were reduced by pretreatment with WY 26392. These results suggest that in some tissues the role of alpha 2-adrenoceptors may be to modulate responses to alpha 1-adrenoceptors, rather than to evoke a discrete response themselves.

1. In the autoperfused hind limb of the dog prazosin (10 microgram/kg intravenously) markedly antagonized responses to lumbar sympathetic stimulation, whereas responses to injected noradrenaline were largely unaffected. 2. In beta-adrenoreceptor- and ganglion-blocked animals, the hind limb pressor responses to phenylephrine were antagonized to a greater degree by prazosin than responses to injected noradrenaline. 3. Rauwolscine, a selective alpha 2-adrenoreceptor-blocking agent, antagonized responses to the alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist guanabenz, but not those to phenylephrine. 4. Hind limb pressor responses to noradrenaline were significantly inhibited by rauwolscine and further reduced by prazosin. 5. These results demonstrate that in this vascular bed alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoreceptors are located postsynaptically. Furthermore the results suggest that neuronally released noradrenaline acts mainly upon alpha 1-adrenoreceptors, whereas exogenous noradrenaline acts upon alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoreceptors. 6. It is suggested that this selectivity of prazosin in blocking the vasoconstriction to neuronally-released noradrenaline may in part explain the effectiveness of this drug as an antihypertensive agent.

In the conscious rat arterial PCO2 was measured as an index of respiratory status. The opioid analgesic meptazinol (7.5 - 30 mg kg-1) evoked small but significant increases in arterial PCO2 which were attenuated by naloxone. Meptazinol significantly reduced the increase in arterial PCO2 evoked by morphine. The respiratory depression induced by meptazinol, but not that induced by morphine, was enhanced by pretreatment with atropine. The (+)-enantiomer, but not the (-)-enantiomer of meptazinol increased arterial PCO2. In contrast, only the (-)-enantiomer reduced the respiratory depressant effect of morphine. It is proposed that the degree of respiratory depression induced by meptazinol is limited by its opioid antagonist and cholinomimetic properties.

The decrease in mesenteric blood flow produced by dopamine administered intra-arterially in the anaesthetised dog was investigated by means of drugs selective for alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (0.3-100 microgram) given by intra-arterial injection (i.a.) into the superior mesenteric artery of the anaesthetized dog produced a decrease in mesenteric blood flow which was preferentially blocked by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (30-300 microgram/kg i.v.). On the other hand, i.a. injections of the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist M7 (1-100 microgram) or of dopamine (1-300 microgram) produced a decrease in mesenteric blood flow which was blocked by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (100-300 microgram/kg i.v.) but was not significantly reduced by prazosin (300 microgram/kg i.v.). These results demonstrate that the mesenteric vascular bed of the dog contains both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors located postsynaptically and mediating vasoconstriction. The decrease in mesenteric blood flow produced by i.a. injections of dopamine is mediated predominantly via postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors.