Search

Much has been learned about the consequences of glucocorticoid receptor antagonism by studying steroidal active antagonists such as RU-38486 (1). In the liver glucocorticoid receptor antagonism suppresses hepatic glucose production decreasing plasma glucose levels; however, extrahepatic antagonism produces several undesirable side effects including activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. A series of nonsteroidal passive N-(3-dibenzylamino-2-alkyl-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide glucocorticoid receptor modulators was discovered. Liver selective and systemically available members of this series were found and characterized in diabetes and side effect rodent models. A highly liver selective member of this series, acid 14, shows efficacy in the ob/ob model of diabetes. It lowers plasma glucose, cholesterol, and free fatty acid concentrations and reduces the rate of body weight gain. The structurally related systemically available passive modulator 12 lowers glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, free fatty acid, and cholesterol levels. Interestingly, it did not acutely activate the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis in unstressed CD-1 mice or have the abortive effects observed with 1. These results indicate that passive GR antagonists may have utility as antidiabetic agents.

Hepatic blockade of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) suppresses glucose production and thus decreases circulating glucose levels, but systemic glucocorticoid antagonism can produce adrenal insufficiency and other undesirable side effects. These hepatic and systemic responses might be dissected, leading to liver-selective pharmacology, when a GR antagonist is linked to a bile acid in an appropriate manner. Bile acid conjugation can be accomplished with a minimal loss of binding affinity for GR. The resultant conjugates remain potent in cell-based functional assays. A novel in vivo assay has been developed to simultaneously evaluate both hepatic and systemic GR blockade; this assay has been used to optimize the nature and site of the linker functionality, as well as the choice of the GR antagonist and the bile acid. This optimization led to the identification of A-348441, which reduces glucose levels and improves lipid profiles in an animal model of diabetes.

The interaction of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 plays an important role in the cell adhesion process. On the basis of previously reported SAR and structural information on the binding of our p-arylthiocinnamide series to LFA-1, we have identified the cyclic amide (C-ring) as a site for modification. Improvement in potency and, more importantly, in the physical properties and pharmacokinetic profiles of the leading compounds resulted from this modification. One of the best compounds (11f) is also shown to reduce myocardial infarct size in rat.

The interaction between leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), a member of the β2-integrin family of adhesion molecules, and intracellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (cd54) is thought to play a critical role in the inflammatory process. On the basis of an anilino diaryl sulfide screening lead 1, in combination with pharmacophore analysis of other screening hits, we have identified an adjacent binding pocket. Subsequently, a p-ethenylcarbonyl linker was discovered to be optimal for accessing this binding site. Solution-phase parallel synthesis enabled rapid optimization of the cinnamides for this pocket. In conjunction with fine-tuning of the diaryl substituents, we discovered a novel series of potent, nonpeptide inhibitors of LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction, exemplified by A-286982 (28h), which has IC50 values of 44 and 35 nM in an LFA-1/ICAM-1 binding assay and LFA-1-mediated cellular adhesion assay, respectively.

The condensation of allylic diols with unsymmetrical ketones proceeds with high stereoselection to form 2,2-disubstituted 4-acyltetrahydrofurans when the α-substituents of the ketone differ substantially in size. A Prins-pinacol condensation of this type is the central strategic step in an enantioselective synthesis of (−)-citreoviral.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.