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Numerous reports have implicated theY5 receptor as the 'feeding' receptor mediating the orexigenic action of neuropeptide Y (NPY). This notion is supported by the correlation between the in vitro functional and binding activities of different peptide agonists and their potent stimulation of food intake in rodents. We have discovered a series of small molecule heterocycles with high affinity, selectivity, and functional antagonism for Y5 receptors. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of GW438014A into rodents, resulted in a potent reduction of NPY-induced and normal overnight food intake. Brain levels of GW438014A were detected well in excess of its binding IC(50) for up to 3 h post-dosing. Daily (i.p., BID, 10 mg/kg) administration of this compound to Zucker Fatty rats for a period of 4 days resulted in a marked decrease in the rate of weight gain and a reduction in fat mass. No effect on food intake was observed following oral administration of GW438014A (25-100 mg/kg), consistent with the poor oral bioavailability (<3%) and low brain levels observed.

A series of 1,4-benzodiazepines, N-1-substituted with an N-isopropyl-N-phenylacetamide moiety, was synthesized and screened for CCK-A agonist activity. In vitro agonist activity on isolated guinea pig gallbladder along with in vivo induction of satiety following intraperitoneal administration in a rat feeding assay was demonstrated.

Neuropeptide Y has been proposed to play a major role in the hypothalamic regulation of feeding behavior through the activation of specific, central NPY receptor(s). In an effort to design small molecule antagonists of NPY receptors, we have synthesized a series of substituted dipeptides based on defined pharmacophores, previously identified by us and others as essential for the interaction with the peptide receptors. GI264879A behaves as a functional antagonist of Y1 receptors while displaying no binding selectivity for the different NPY receptor subtypes. We demonstrate here that administration of GI264879A to rats causes a significant decrease in food intake and body weight partly through a mechanism dependent on the integrity of the vagus nerve.

We previously described a series of 3-(1H-indazol-3-ylmethyl)-1,5-benzodiazepine CCK-A agonists exemplified by compound 1 (GW 5823), which is the first reported binding selective CCK-A full agonist demonstrating oral efficacy in a rat feeding model. In this report we describe analogs of compound 1 designed to explore changes to the C3 and N1 pharmacophores and their effect on agonist activity and receptor selectivity. Agonist efficacy in this series was affected by stereoelectronic factors within the C3 moiety. Binding affinity for the CCK-A vs CCK-B receptor showed little dependence on the structure of the C3 moiety but was affected by the nature of the second substituent at C3. Structure-activity relationships at the N1-anilidoacetamide "trigger" moiety within the C3 indazole series were also investigated. Both agonist efficacy and binding affinity within this series were modulated by variation of substituents on the N1-anilidoacetamide moiety. Evaluation of several analogs in an vivo mouse gallbladder emptying assay revealed compound 1 to be the most potent and efficacious of all the analogs tested. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of 1 in rats is also discussed.

Analogs of the previously reported 1,5-benzodiazepine peripheral cholecystokinin (CCK-A) receptor agonist 1 were prepared which explore substitution and/or replacement of the C-3 phenyl urea moiety. Agonist efficacy on the isolated guinea pig gallbladder (GPGB) was retained with a variety of substituted ureas and amide analogs. Three compounds were identified which were orally active in the mouse gallbladder emptying assay (MGBE). The 2-indolamide (52) and N-(carboxymethyl)-2-indolamide (54) derivatives had improved affinity for the human CCK-A receptor but reduced agonist efficacy on the GPGB. Neither indolamide was orally active in a rat feeding assay. In contrast, the (3-carboxyphenyl)urea derivative (29, GW7854) had moderately increased affinity for the human CCK-B receptor but was a potent full agonist on the GPGB and was orally active in both the MGBE and rat feeding assays. GW7854 was a full agonist (EC50 = 60 nM) for calcium mobilization on CHO K1 cells expressing hCCK-A receptors and a potent antagonist of CCK-8 (pA2 = 9.1) on CHO K1 cells expressing hCCK-B receptors. GW7854 is a potent mixed CCK-A agonist/CCK-B antagonist which is orally active in two in vivo models of CCK-A-mediated agonist activity.

A series of modifications were made to the C-3 substituent of the 1,5-benzodiazepine CCK-A agonist 1. Replacement of the inner urea NH and addition of a methyl group to generate a C-3 quaternary carbon resulted in acetamide 6, which showed CCK-A receptor binding selectivity and sub-micromolar agonist activity in vitro. Benzodiazepine 6 was active in an in vivo mouse gallbladder emptying assay and represents a novel orally active, binding selective CCK-A agonist.

Directed screening of compounds selected from the Glaxo registry file for contractile activity on the isolated guinea pig gallbladder (GPGB) identified a series of 1,5-benzodiazepines with peripheral cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor agonist activity. Agonist efficacy within this series was modulated by variation of substituents on the N1-anilinoacetamide moiety. Remarkably, a single methyl group confers agonist activity, with an N-isopropyl substituent providing optimal efficacy. Hydrophilic substituents on the anilino nitrogen abolish agonist activity or produce antagonists of CCK. In contrast, hydrophilic electron-donating groups at the para-position of the anilino ring enhance or maintain in vitro and in vivo agonist activity. Despite decreased affinity for the human CCK-A receptor, relative to CCK-8, some of these compounds are equipotent to CCK as anorectic agents in rats following intraperitoneal administration.

Hybrid analogs of the cholecystokinin A (CCK-A) receptor selective tetrapeptide agonist Boc-Trp-Lys(Tac)-Asp-MePhe-NH2 (1,A-71623) and the CCK-B receptor selective antagonists PD-135118 (2) and CI-988 (3) were prepared. Incorporation of the Lys(Tac) side chain into 2 produced a moderately potent antagonist of CCK-8 in the isolated guinea pig gallbladder (GPGB). Incorporation of the Lys(Tac) side chain into 3 produced the novel agonist analog 7 (EC50 = 28 nM in the GPGB) with excellent affinity for both human CCK-A (IC50 = 12 nM) and CCK-B (IC50 = 17 nM) receptors. Analog 7 was a full agonist (EC50 = 3.5 nM) for calcium mobilization on CHO-K1 cells expressing hCCK-A receptors but a partial agonist on CHO-K1 cells expressing hCCK-B receptors, eliciting a weak agonist response (EC50 = 2800 nM) and antagonizing CCK-8-induced calcium mobilization (KB = 20 nM). Despite this unusual in vitro profile, analog 7 was a potent anorectic agent in rats (ED50 = 30 nmol/kg) following intraperitoneal administration.

The hemodynamic and beta adrenergic blocking effects of GI104313, a chimeric molecule containing a phosphodiesterase-inhibiting pyradazinone and a beta blocking phenoxpropanolamine, were examined in barbiturate-anesthetized, vagotomized dogs. The results of these studies were compared to those of indolidan, a known phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and xamoterol, a partial beta adrenoceptor agonist. The compounds were infused at six increasing dose rates in 10-min intervals. Isoproterenol (0.5 microgram/kg) was administered before each dose increment to determine beta adrenoceptor responsiveness. In a separate set of experiments, the hemodynamic effects of GI104313, indolidan and xamoterol were examined in the presence of complete beta blockade with atenolol. GI104313 elicited dose-dependent increases in heart rate, contractility (+dP/dt) and cardiac output and decreases in arterial blood pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure and systemic vascular resistance in unpretreated and atenolol-pretreated dogs. However, GI104313 was less potent hemodynamically in atenolol-pretreated animals. This was evidenced by a 4-fold dextral shift in the dose-response relation for several hemodynamic variables. In unpretreated dogs, GI104313 elicited potent dose-dependent blockade of the heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and +dP/dt responses to isoproterenol. Greater than 95% inhibition of isoproterenol response was attained at 1 mumol/kg GI104313 for all observed variables. Indolidan increased contractility and heart rate and decreased diastolic blood pressure in a dose-related fashion. Indolidan did not modify the stimulatory effects of isoproterenol. Atenolol had modest effects on indolidan's hemodynamic effect, only shifting its inotropic effect 2-fold. Xamoterol produced hemodynamic and beta blocking effects similar to GI104313.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hemodynamic effects of GI 87084B, a novel ultra-short acting mu-opioid agonist, were studied in anesthetized dogs. In these studies, GI 87084B (0.3-20 nmol/kg/min i.v.) produced dose-dependent decreases in heart rate, arterial blood pressure, +dP/dt and cardiac output. Alfentanil produced similar effects but was less potent. After termination of the infusions (397 nmol/kg cumulative dose), the hemodynamic effects of GI 87084B dissipated over 30 to 40 min. The effects of alfentanil, however, persisted throughout the 60-min recovery period. Infusion of GI 87084B at lower dose rates (0.001-0.3 nmol/kg/min) in barbiturate-anesthetized dogs showed a threshold dose of 0.1 to 0.3 nmol/kg/min for effects on hemodynamic variables. After infusing 0.3 nmol/kg/min of GI 87084B for 10 min, hemodynamic variables recovered rapidly (10-20 min). Boli of GI 87084B (0.3-100 nmol/kg i.v.) produced dose-dependent decreases in the same hemodynamic variables. The duration of these effects increased from 5 to 20 min at 3 nmol/kg to 15 to 45 min at 100 nmol/kg. Naloxone (0.063 mg/kg/hr) decreased the magnitude and duration of the effects of GI 87084B, suggesting that these effects are mediated through opioid receptors. In summary, GI 87084B produced hemodynamic effects consistent with mu-opioid agonism when administered by infusion or bolus, but these effects were brief in duration compared to other opioids.

We hypothesized that superoxide anion (O2-.) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) might be important mediators of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory failure (ARF) in pigs. As specific scavengers of O2-. and H2O2, we infused polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD; 2,000 IU/kg) and PEG-catalase (CAT; 15,000 IU/kg), respectively. Escherichia coli endotoxin (055-B5) was infused intravenously into anesthetized 10- to 14-wk-old pigs at 5 micrograms/kg the 1st h, followed by 2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 for 3.5 h. During phase 1 (i.e., 0-2 h) and 2 (i.e., 2-4.5 h), endotoxin decreased cardiac index (CI) and lung dynamic compliance, and increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), total peripheral resistance (TPR), alveolar-arterial O2 gradient, and hematocrit. Endotoxemia also caused granulocytopenia and increased the postmortem bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) albumin concentration and wet-to-dry ratio of bloodless lung. During endotoxemia, PEG-SOD failed to significantly alter any measured or calculated parameter. On the other hand, PEG-CAT attenuated the early (i.e., 0-1 h) endotoxin-induced decrease in CI and increases in Ppa, PVR, and TPR, but failed to modify these parameters during phase 2. PEG-CAT also attenuated the endotoxin-induced granulocytopenia and the increased BALF albumin concentration. In the presence of inactivated PEG-CAT, these protective effects were reversed. We conclude that O2-. does not directly contribute to endotoxin-induced lung injury and that H2O2 (or a subsequent metabolite) contributes to the early endotoxin-induced hemodynamic changes, granulocytopenia, and increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane.

We hypothesized that toxic O2 radicals might be important mediators of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory failure in pigs. As a relatively specific scavenger of .OH, we infused dimethylthiourea (DMTU, 1 g/kg) before endotoxemia. Escherichia coli endotoxin (055-B5) was infused intravenously into anesthetized 10- to 14-wk-old pigs at 5 micrograms/kg the 1st h, followed by 2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 for 3.5 h. During phase 1 (i.e., 0-2 h) and phase 2 (i.e., 2-4.5 h), endotoxin decreased cardiac index (CI) and increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), alveolar-arterial O2 gradient (AaDo2), and hematocrit (Hct). Endotoxemia also caused leukopenia and increased the postmortem bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) albumin concentration and wet weight-to-dry weight ratio of bloodless lung. Dimethylthiourea did not significantly modify the phase 1 response. However, during phase 2, DMTU attenuated the endotoxin-induced decrease in CI and increases in Ppa, PVR, Hct, AaDo2, lung water, and BALF albumin concentration. In separate groups of endotoxin- and DMTU + endotoxin-treated pigs, lung microvascular hydrostatic pressure was increased to approximately 16 Torr (by fluid overload) to assess alveolar-capillary membrane permeability. Under these conditions, DMTU markedly attenuated the endotoxin-induced increase in alveolar-capillary membrane permeability. Under these conditions, DMTU markedly attenuated the endotoxin-induced induced increase in alveolar-capillary membrane permeability. We conclude that .OH (and possibly H2O2) significantly contributes to endotoxin-induced lung injury in anesthetized pigs.

The effects of ketanserin on pulmonary hemodynamics, lung mechanics, and gas exchange were determined in anesthetized 10- to 14-week-old pigs after they were endotoxemic for 1 or 4.5 hours. Saline solution was given to controls (group 1). Escherichia coli endotoxin (055-B5) was infused IV at a dosage of 5 micrograms/kg for 1 hour (group 2). In group 3, endotoxin was infused at 5 micrograms/kg the first hour plus a continuous infusion of endotoxin at 2 micrograms/kg/hr. Ketanserin, a specific serotonin receptor antagonist, was infused IV (300 micrograms/kg) after pigs were endotoxemic for 1 or 4.5 hours (groups 2 and 3, respectively). At 1 hour of endotoxemia, mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were increased, and cardiac index was decreased. Ketanserin caused a small attenuation of the increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, indicating that serotonin may have a small role in the endotoxin response at 1 hour. At 4.5 hours of endotoxemia, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, alveolar dead space ventilation, and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient were increased, and cardiac index and lung dynamic compliance were decreased; ketanserin significantly attenuated the endotoxin-induced changes in cardiac index, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and lung dynamic compliance. Ketanserin also decreased the blood temperature after pigs were endotoxemic for 4.5 hours. However, the endotoxin-induced increases (at 4.5 hours) in alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and alveolar dead space ventilation were not acutely reversed by ketanserin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)