Pharmacology of the leukotriene antagonist verlukast: The (R)-enantiomer of MK-571

Verlukast (MK-679) (3-(((3-(2-(7-chloro-2-quinolinyl)-(E)-ethenyl)phenyl)((3-(dimethylamino)-3-oxopropyl)thio)methyl)-thio)propionic acid) is a potent and selective inhibitor of [3H]leukotriene D4 binding in guinea-pig (IC50 = 3.1 ± 0.5 nM) and human (IC50 = 8.0 ± 3.0 nM) lung homogenates and dimethyl sulfoxide differentiated U937 cell membrane preparations (IC50 = 10.7 ± 1.6 nM) but is essentially inactive versus [3H]leukotriene C4 binding in guinea-pig lung homogenates (IC50 values of 19 and 33 μM). Functionally, when tested at 60 nM, it antagonized contractions of guinea-pig trachea (GPT) induced by leukotriene C4, leukotriene D4, and leukotriene E4 (respective −log KB values of 8.6, 8.8, and 8.9) and contractions of human trachea (HT) induced by leukotriene D4 (−log KB value 8.3 ± 0.2). In contrast, verlukast (20–200 nM) failed to antagonize contractions of GPT induced by leukotriene C4 in the presence of 45 mM L-serine borate. Intravenous (i.v.) and aerosol verlukast antagonized bronchoconstriction (BC) induced in anaesthetized guinea pigs by i.v. leukotriene D4 but did not block BC to arachidonic acid or histamine. Intraduodenal verlukast (0.25 mg/kg) antagonized leukotriene D4 (0.2 μg/kg) induced BC in guinea pigs. Oral and aerosol administration blocked leukotriene D4-induced BC in conscious squirrel monkeys. Orally administered compound also blocked ovalbumin-induced BC in conscious sensitized rats treated with methysergide (3 μg/kg). The pharmacological profile for verlukast is similar to that of the racemic compound, MK-571. Verlukast is currently in clinical development for the treatment of asthma and related diseases.Key words: verlukast, MK-679, leukotriene D4 antagonist, airway smooth muscle.