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CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 3 is a chemokine receptor implicated in recruiting cells, particularly eosinophils (EPhi), to the lung in episodes of allergic asthma. To investigate the efficacy of selective, small molecule antagonists of CCR3, we developed a murine model of EPhi recruitment to the lung. Murine eotaxin was delivered intranasally to mice that had previously received i.p. injections of ovalbumin (OVA), and the effects were monitored by bronchoalveolar lavage. A selective eosinophilic influx was produced in animals receiving eotaxin but not saline. Furthermore, the number of EPhi was concentration- and time-dependent. Although anti-CCR3 antibody reduced the number of EPhi, the effect of eotaxin in OVA-sensitized mice was not a direct chemotactic stimulus because mast cell deficiency (in WBB6F1-Kitw/Kitw-v mice) significantly reduced the response. Two representative small molecule CCR3 antagonists from our program were characterized as being active at mouse CCR3. They were administered p.o. to wild-type mice and found to reduce eotaxin-elicited EPhi selectively in a dose-dependent manner. Pump infusion of one of the inhibitors to achieve steady-state levels showed that efficacy was not achieved at plasma concentrations equivalent to the in vitro chemotaxis IC90 but only at much higher concentrations. To extend the results from our recruitment model, we tested one of the inhibitors in an allergenic model of airway inflammation, generated by adoptive transfer of OVA-sensitive murine T helper 2 cells and aerosolized OVA challenge of recipient mice, and found that it inhibited EPhi recruitment. We conclude that small molecule CCR3 antagonists reduce pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation elicited by chemokine or allergenic challenge.

The chimpanzee (CHP) was evaluated as a pharmacokinetic model for humans (HUMs) using propranolol, verapamil, theophylline, and 12 proprietary compounds. Species differences were observed in the systemic clearance of theophylline (approximately 5-fold higher in CHPs), a low clearance compound, and the bioavailability of propranolol and verapamil (lower in CHPs), both high clearance compounds. The systemic clearance of propranolol (approximately 1.53 l/h/kg) suggested that the hepatic blood flow in CHPs is comparable to that in humans. No substantial differences were observed in the in vitro protein binding. A preliminary attempt was made to characterize cytochrome P450 (P450) activities in CHP and HUM liver microsomes. Testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation and tolbutamide methylhydroxylation activities were comparable in CHP and HUM liver microsomes. In contrast, dextromethorphan O-demethylation and phenacetin O-deethylation activities were approximately 10-fold higher (per mg protein) in CHP liver microsomes. Intrinsic clearance estimates in CHP liver microsomes were higher for propranolol (approximately 10-fold) and theophylline (approximately 5-fold) and similar for verapamil. Of the 12 proprietary compounds, 3 had oral clearances that differed in the two species by more than 3-fold, an acceptable range for biological variability. Most of the observed differences are consistent with species differences in P450 enzyme activity. Oral clearances of proprietary compounds in HUMs were significantly correlated to those from CHPs (r = 0.68; p = 0.015), but not to estimates from rat, dog, and monkey. In summary, the chimpanzee serves as a valuable surrogate model for human pharmacokinetics, especially when species differences in P450 enzyme activity are considered.

A series of chiral heterocyclic aminopyrrolidine derivatives was synthesized as novel melatoninergic ligands. Binding affinity assays were performed on cloned human MT(1) and MT(2) receptors, stably expressed in NIH3T3 cells. Compound 16 was identified as an orally bioavailable agonist at MT(1) and MT(2) melatonin receptors with low vasoconstrictive activity.

BMS-214778 is a novel melatonin receptor agonist that may be a useful treatment for sleep disorders that result from disruption of circadian rhythms. Pharmacokinetic studies following intravenous and oral administration and 1 month oral steady-state studies were carried out in rats and monkeys. Rat brain was analyzed for BMS-214778 to determine the extent of its penetration from plasma. Equilibrium dialysis was employed to determine the extent of binding of [(14)C]-BMS-214778 to rat, monkey, and human sera proteins. In vitro metabolism studies with BMS-214778 in rat, monkey, and human liver homogenate preparations (S-9), with monkey and human liver slice preparations, and with pooled human liver microsomes were performed and the incubates analyzed for potential metabolites. Recombinant microsomes expressing specific human cytochrome P(450) (CYP) enzymes were employed to identify possible human metabolic pathways. BMS-214778 showed a high hepatic extraction and high degree of tissue distribution. BMS-214778 also displayed non-linear oral pharmacokinetics. Systemic exposures following oral doses in rats and monkeys increased more than proportionally to the increment in dose. Loss of systemic exposure to BMS-214778 upon chronic oral dosing was observed in male rats where exposure was one-half to two-thirds compared to a single dose, while modest decreases in exposure were observed upon chronic dosing in both sexes of monkey. This was suggestive of induction of BMS-214778 clearance and/or excretion mechanisms. BMS-214778 distributed from the plasma to brain in the rat (mean +/- SD brain:plasma ratio of 0.9 +/- 0.1, N = 3). [(14)C]-BMS-214778 was moderately bound to serum proteins (<91% bound) in all species examined. In vitro metabolism of BMS-214778 was mostly by hydroxylation and dehydrogenation, with CYP1A1, 1A2, 2D6, and 2C9 being the most likely isoforms to be involved in its metabolism in humans., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 92:760-772, 2003)

3-Aryl-3-fluorooxindoles can be efficiently synthesized in two steps by the addition of an aryl Grignard to an isatin, followed by treatment with DAST. Oxindole 1 (BMS-204352; MaxiPost) can be isolated using chiral HPLC or prepared by employing chiral resolution. Cloned maxi-K channels are opened by 1, which demonstrates a brain/plasma ratio >9 in rats.

During ischemic stroke, neurons at risk are exposed to pathologically high levels of intracellular calcium (Ca++), initiating a fatal biochemical cascade. To protect these neurons, we have developed openers of large-conductance, Ca++-activated (maxi-K or BK) potassium channels, thereby augmenting an endogenous mechanism for regulating Ca++ entry and membrane potential. The novel fluoro-oxindoles BMS-204352 and racemic compound 1 are potent, effective and uniquely Ca++-sensitive openers of maxi-K channels. In rat models of permanent large-vessel stroke, BMS-204352 provided significant levels of cortical neuroprotection when administered two hours after the onset of occlusion, but had no effects on blood pressure or cerebral blood flow. This novel approach may restrict Ca++ entry in neurons at risk while having minimal side effects.

A review of the literature indicates that the absolute oral bioavailability of exogenous melatonin in humans or in preclinical animal models has not been adequately characterized; hence, this study was undertaken. Pharmacokinetics of melatonin was studied in rats, dogs, and monkeys following intravenous and oral administrations, and the absolute oral bioavailability of melatonin was calculated from the area under the plasma concentration-time curve. The apparent elimination half-life of melatonin following an intravenous dose of 3 mg/kg (5 mg/kg in rats) was 19.8, 18.6, and 34.2 minutes, respectively, in rats, dogs, and monkeys. The dose normalized oral bioavailability of melatonin following a 10 mg/kg oral dose was 53.5% in rats, while it was in excess of 100% in dogs and monkeys. Further, bioavailability of melatonin following a 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration in rats was 74.0%, suggesting the lack of substantial first-pass hepatic extraction of melatonin in rats. However, the oral bioavailability of melatonin in dogs decreased to 16.9% following a 1 mg/kg oral dose, indicating dose-dependent bioavailability in dogs. In vitro permeability studies with CACO-2 cells suggest that melatonin is likely to be well absorbed in humans. In vitro metabolism studies with fresh liver slices from rats as well as human donors were conducted to compare the initial rates of metabolism of melatonin between the two species and the results suggest that the intrinsic clearance of melatonin in humans may be lower than that in rats.

Plasma concentrations of BMS-184111, an anxiolytic, were determined as a function of time following single intravenous, intraperitoneal and oral administrations. In order to assess the brain penetration of this compound, concentrations in whole brain samples were also determined in the intravenous leg of the study. Concentrations of BMS-184111 in plasma and brain homogenate samples were determined using an HPLC assay following liquid/liquid extraction. After intravenous administration, BMS-184111 was eliminated from plasma with a half-life of about 3.6 hours. The brain/plasma AUC ratio for BMS-184111 concentration was 5.5, indicating effective penetration of the compound into the brain. Comparison of the plasma AUC values obtained following intravenous and intraperitoneal doses indicated that BMS-184111 was only 33% bioavailable after intraperitoneal administration, suggesting that the compound undergoes significant first-pass hepatic extraction. The oral bioavailability of BMS-184111 was found to be 10% after administration of the free base and 23% after administration of the hydrochloride salt. These results suggest that BMS-184111 undergoes incomplete GI absorption and/or intestinal metabolism in addition to first-pass hepatic extraction. The in vitro metabolism of BMS-184111 was studied using rat liver homogenate preparation (the 9000 g supernatant; S-9). Several of the metabolites thus generated were profiled using LC/MS and LC/MS/MS. Metabolism of BMS-184111 in rat liver S-9 occurs through hydroxylation, O-demethylation, and demethylenation.

A chiral high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the separation of the four stereoisomers of labetalol, an antihypertensive, in biological fluids has been developed. Baseline separation of the isomers was achieved using an alpha 1-acid glycoprotein stationary phase. No interference from endogenous substances was observed following extraction from various biological fluids obtained from pregnant (ewe and fetus) and non-pregnant sheep. The concentration of the individual isomers of labetalol was determined by first measuring the total concentration of racemic labetalol obtained from an achiral assay followed by reassay of each sample by the chiral method after which, by using the estimate of the percentage of each individual isomer, the individual concentration of each of the four isomers was determined. The mobile phase was 0.02 M phosphate buffer containing 0.015 M tetrabutylammonium phosphate. The pH of the mobile phase was adjusted to 7.10. The detector was set at an excitation wavelength of 230 nm and emission wavelength of 400 nm to monitor the nascent fluorescence intensity of the isomers of labetalol. The limit of detection of the individual isomers was 0.15 ng (0.6 ng of injected racemic labetalol). The assay was linear over the range 0.6-15.0 ng of labetalol (injected) with the intra- and inter-day mean coefficients of variation being less than 9.0 and 6.0%, respectively. Application of the assay in the study of pharmacokinetics of the stereoisomers of labetalol in sheep following administration of racemic labetalol has been demonstrated.

Labetalol causes significant maternal and fetal metabolic effects in pregnant sheep (Yeleswaram et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 262, 683-691 (1992)). This study was undertaken to investigate the contribution of skeletal muscles in the development of metabolic acidosis induced by labetalol and to explore the involvement of active metabolite(s) using conscious, chronically instrumented adult nonpregnant ewes. Following a 100 mg iv bolus, the disposition of labetalol was similar to that observed in pregnant sheep. The effects of labetalol included hypotension, reflex tachycardia, a significant increase in femoral blood flow, hyperglycemia, lactic acidosis, and increased hind limb oxygen consumption. The arteriovenous flux of labetalol, glucose, lactate, and oxygen across the hindlimb was calculated using the Fick principle. The net output of lactate from the hindquarter over 12 hr following drug administration was calculated to be 6.25 +/- 1.35 g (0.07 +/- 0.015 mol). Glucuronidation, sulfation, and oxidative metabolism of labetalol were studied using urine and bile samples. The cumulative urinary excretion of labetalol as unchanged drug, glucuronide and sulfate was found to be 1.61 +/- 0.3, 11.46 +/- 2.83, and 1.47 +/- 0.74% of the dose, respectively. Using GC-mass selective detection, the presence of 3-amino-1-phenylbutane (3-APB), a close congener of amphetamine, in urine and bile samples was established. The cumulative excretion of 3-APB in urine represents 0.044 +/- 0.016% of the dose. Pharmacokinetic analysis shows the apparent elimination half-life of the metabolite to be 13.5 +/- 3.8 min. Conjugates of 3-APB were also found in the bile and urine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A sensitive and selective assay has been developed for the identification and quantitation of 3-amino-1-phenyl butane (3-APB), a metabolite of labetalol, in biological fluids using electron impact gas chromatography/mass-selective detection. Samples were extracted with n-hexane, derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride and chromatographed on a cross-linked fused-silica capillary column. A positive EI spectrum was obtained using a mass-selective detector. Identification of the metabolite was accomplished using an authentic standard; quantitation was performed in the selected ion monitoring mode using ions m/z 345 (M+) and 132. The assay was linear over the calibration range of 0.5-1000 ng of the analyte and the intra-sample coefficients of variation were less than 12% in all cases. The absolute recovery of 3-APB following extraction from urine and bile was found to be 102.9 +/- 4.9% and 98.3 +/- 1.45% (mean +/- SEM) respectively. The minimum quantitation limit of the assay was 0.5 ng ml-1 (approximately 2 pg injected). Application of the assay in a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study of labetalol in sheep is demonstrated. The metabolite was detected in urine and bile samples obtained from adult non-pregnant sheep following labetalol administration. The cumulative amount of 3-APB excreted in urine over 24 h was found to be 71.55 micrograms in one animal following a 100 mg dose of labetalol. Evidence for biliary excretion, glucuronidation and sulfation of 3-APB was also found.

A rapid and sensitive microbore high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay is reported for the quantitation of labetalol, an anti-hypertensive agent, in small volumes (250 microliters) of biological fluids (viz., maternal plasma, fetal plasma, amniotic fluid and fetal tracheal fluid) obtained from the chronically instrumented pregnant sheep. Labetalol was extracted from the samples using ethyl acetate and then partitioned into dilute phosphoric acid. Chromatography was performed on a microbore HPLC system using a 2.1 mm I.D. C18 column and detection was accomplished by a low-dispersion fluorescence detector designed for trace analysis. The drug was well separated from endogenous substances in all biological fluids sampled. The calibration curves were linear for all fluids over the range of study with mean coefficients of variation consistently below 5%. Quantitation was possible down to approximately 30 pg of labetalol injected (approximately 1.6 ng/ml in plasma using 250 microliters).