Subclassification of presynaptic α2-adrenoceptors: α2D-autoreceptors in mouse brain

The study was devised to classify, by means of antagonist affinities, the presynaptic ₂-autoreceptors in mouse cerebral cortex in terms of _2A, _2B, _2C and _2D. A set of antagonists was chosen that was able to discriminate between the four subtypes. Slices of the cortex were preincubated with ³H-noradrenaline and then superfused and stimulated electrically.The stimulation periods used (4 pulses, 100 Hz) did not lead to ₂-autoinhibition as shown by the lack of an increase by rauwolscine of the evoked overflow of tritium. The ₂-selective agonists 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)-quinoxaline (UK 14,304) and -methylnoradrenaline reduced the evoked overflow. All 10 antagonists shifted the concentration-inhibition curve of UK 14,304 to the right. Rauwolscine also shifted the concentration-inhibition curve of -methylnoradrenaline to the right. pK_d values of the antagonists were calculated from the shifts. The pK_d values of rauwolscine against UK 14,304 and -methylnoradrenaline were very similar (8.0 and 7.9, respectively).Comparison with antagonist affinities for prototypic native ₂ binding sites, ₂ binding sites in cells transfected with ₂ subtype genes, and previously classified presynaptic ₂-adrenoceptors — all taken from the literature — indicates that the ₂-autoreceptors in mouse brain cortex are _2D. This is the first subtype determination of ₂-autoreceptors in the mouse. It supports the hypothesis that at least the majority of ₂-autoreceptors belong to the _2A/D branch of the ₂-adrenoceptor tree.     

Effect of removing the endothelial cells on the reactivity of rat aortic segments to different α-adrenoceptor agonists

Summary The influence of removing the endothelial cells on the -receptor-mediated contractile response in segments of rat aorta was investigated using agonists with a range of affinity for ₁ and ₂. The preferential ₁ were methoxamine, cirazoline, ST 587, and Sgd 101/75 and the preferential ₂ were B-HT 920, clonidine, and guanfacine. When the endothelium was intact, the intrinsic activity (compared to noradrenaline) varied widely (0.0–0.7) for both groups of agonists. After removal of the endothelium the intrinsic activity was increased in each case to that of noradrenaline, or close to it. Furthermore, an increase in potency was obtained for each agonist, although to different degrees. No correlation, however, was found between the selectivity of the agonists and the degree of enhancement caused by the removal of the endothelium, in terms of either the intrinsic activity or the potency. Moreover, the use of the selective ₂ antagonist rauwolscine on intact tissues did not mimic the effect of removing the endothelium. Therefore, the -receptors of the endothelium could not be classified as either of the ₁ or ₂.This study was supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

B-HT 920 acts as an α 1-adrenoceptor agonist in the rabbit aorta under certain in vitro conditions

Summary We have investigated the interaction of the ₂-adrenoceptor agonist B-HT 920 with the -adrenoceptors in the rabbit aorta using various experimental conditions.In standard Krebs-Henseleit solution B-HT 920 behaved as an antagonist when tested against the ₁-agonist phenylephrine. However, it behaved as a partial agonist at -receptors when subcontractile concentrations of various spasmogens (angiotensin II, serotonin, prostaglandin F₂ ) were applied, although no change in the affinity of the receptor to B-HT 920 was observed. By means of the selective antagonists prazosin and rauwolscine it was established that B-HT 920 activated ₁-renoceptors. The same agonistic effects of B-HT 920 were obtained after pretreatment of the animal with reserpine or in the presence of ouabain. The various treatments used (except reserpine) did not influence the contractile response to phenylephrine.The contractile response to B-HT 920 was found to be highly susceptible to the calcium entry blocker nitrendipine whereas the response to phenylephrine was not.It is concluded that spasmogens modulate the responsiveness of -receptors to certain agonists, possibly by causing a depolarization of the cell membrane and, thereby, sensitization of a mechanism involved in excitation-contraction coupling, conceivably a calcium gating mechanism.This study was supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Involvement of α-adrenoceptors in the excitatory effect of the A2 adenosine receptors agonist 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) on cardiac automaticity in the isolated right ventricle of the rat

The effects of the non-selective A₂ adenosine receptor agonist 5-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) were studied on ventricular automaticity induced by a local injury in the isolated right ventricle of the rat. In concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 nM, NECA significantly increased ventricular automaticity. This effect was not apparent when the nonselective -adrenoceptor blocker phenoxybenzamine was present at a concentration of 10 M, which antagonizes both ₁-and ₂-adrenoceptors, as well as when rats were pretreated with reserpine. In non-reserpinized rats, the excitatory effect of NECA was also abolished in the presence of the selective ₁-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, but not in the presence of the ₂-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan. In reserpinized rats, the excitatory effect of NECA was restored in the presence of the non specific -adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine as well as in the presence of the selective ₁-adrenoceptor agonist amidephrine but not in the presence of the selective ₂-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine. These results suggest that the excitatory effect of NECA on ectopic ventricular automaticity is dependent on endogenous catecholamines and that -adrenoceptors of type 1 are, in some way, involved in this effect.     

The effect of selective α1- and α2-adrenoceptor stimulation on intraocular pressure in the conscious rabbit

Summary The influence of topically applied selective ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptor agonists on intraocular pressure and the diameter of the pupil was investigated in conscious rabbits. Selective stimulation of the ₁-subtype of receptors induced an elevation in intraocular pressure, accompanied by mydriasis, whereas stimulation of the ₂-subtype caused a marked and dose-dependent ocular hypotensive response, which was blocked by the selective ₂-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine. ₂-Agonists induced neither macroscopic ocular side effects, nor an effect on the pupil size. Possibly, the subclass of ₂-adrenoceptor stimulating drugs represent a group of new antiglaucomatous agents.     

Natriuretic Peptide-Potentiating Actions of Neutral Endopeptidase Inhibition in Rats with Experimental Heart Failure

We developed a rat model of heart failure induced by myocardial infarction (MI) which preserves responsiveness to exogenously administered natriuretic peptide, and investigated the potentiating action of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibition on the renal response to endogenous natriuretic peptide in MI rats, comparing with that in the established cardiac-failing model with arterio-venous fistula (AVF). The endogenous plasma concentration of -rat atrial natriuretic peptide (-rANP) in the MI rat was 6.4-fold higher than that in the normal rat, and intravenous infusion of phosphoramidon (165 nmol/min/kg), an NEP inhibitor, induced larger increases in circulating -rANP levels and natriuresis in MI rats than in normal controls. The maximal natriuretic effect of phosphoramidon (165 nmol/ min/kg) was equal to that of exogenously administered -rANP (100 pmol/min/kg) in MI rats, whereas plasma -rANP concentration under NEP inhibition was much lower than that after administration of -rANP. The endogenous -rANP levels in AVF rats were as high as those in MI rats. However, the natriuretic effect of phosphoramidon was less in AVF rats than in MI rats, which was consistent with the decreased natriuretic activity observed with administration of exogenous to -rANP in the AVF rat. These results indicate that the natriuretic effect of NEP inhibition is dependent on elevated endogenous -rANP levels in cardiac-failing rats, but cannot be accounted for simply in terms of the increase in circulating -rANP levels. Endogenous natriuretic peptide-mediated natriuresis under NEP inhibition also appears to correlate with the responsiveness to the exogenously administered peptide.     

Presynaptic imidazoline receptors and α2-adrenoceptors in the human heart: discrimination by clonidine and moxonidine

The involvement of presynaptic ₂-autoreceptors and imidazoline receptors in the modulation of noradrenaline release was investigated in strips from human atrial appendages preincubated with [³H]noradrenaline and superfused with medium containing desipramine and corticosterone. Electrical impulses were applied transmurally at 2 Hz. The imidazoline derivatives moxonidine and clonidine reduced the evoked tritium overflow in a concentration-dependent manner. Moxonidine was 18-fold more potent than clonidine. The concentration-response curve for moxonidine, but not for clonidine was shifted to the right by the ₂-adrenoceptor antagonist rauwolscine. The apparent pA₂ value of rauwolscine against moxonidine was 8.41. An inhibitory effect was also observed for the imidazoline derivative BDF 6143 (4-chloro-2-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)-isoindoline), a mixed ₂-adrenoceptor antagonist/imidazoline receptor agonist; BDF 6143 was about 2-fold more potent than clonidine. Rauwolscine (1 M) did not substantially shift the concentration-response curve of BDF 6143.It is concluded that noradrenaline release in the human atrium is inhibited not only via presynaptic ₂-autoreceptors but also via presynaptic non-I₁, non-I₂ imidazoline receptors. The failure of rauwolscine to antagonize the inhibitory effect of clonidine suggests that clonidine preferentially stimulates the presynaptic imidazoline receptors; the ₂-adrenoceptor component of its action is probably suppressed by an inhibitory interaction between the two receptors. In contrast, moxonidine acts via presynaptic ₂-autoreceptors, leaving the presynaptic imidazoline receptor unaffected.     

Development and Use of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) for the Detection of Protein Aggregates in Interferon-Alpha (IFN-α) Formulations

Purpose. Protein aggregates are thought to be involved in the immunogenicity of recombinant proteins in humans. To probe human IFN- formulations for the presence of soluble protein aggregates, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were developed. Methods. For the detection of IFN--IFN- and HSA-IFN- aggregates, sandwich ELISAs were developed using a monoclonal anti-IFN- antibody as a capture antibody and the same anti-IFN- antibody and an anti-human serum albumin (HSA) antibody (HRP-labeled), respectively. Results. Marketed freeze-dried, HSA-containing IFN- formulations tested in the ELISAs all contained IFN--IFN- and/or HSA-IFN- protein aggregates, although in varying amounts. These aggregates were predominantly IFN- dimers and 1:1 conjugates of HSA with IFN-. Test formulations revealed that aggregation of IFN- was strongly affected by the presence of pharmaceutical excipients, pH of the formulation, lyophilisation procedure, and storage temperature and time. Conclusions. The ELISAs are rapid, highly specific for aggregates in the presence of both IFN- and HSA monomers and allow the direct detection of both types of aggregates in formulations in the nanogram range. The new assays will assist the monitoring of the aggregate-inducing processes during IFN- formulation and storage in an early phase and the development of aggregate-free IFN- formulations.     

α1-adrenoceptor subtype affinities of drugs for the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy

Summary We have used radioligand binding and inositol phosphate accumulation studies to determine the affinity at mixed _1A- and _1B-adrenoceptors (rat cerebral cortex and kidney), _1A-adrenoceptors (rat cerebral cortex and kidney following inactivation of _1B-adrenoceptors by chloroethylclonidine treatment) and _1B-adrenoceptors (rat spleen) for drugs currently under investigation for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy, alfuzosin, naftopidil and (–)- and (+)-tamsulosin. Alfuzosin and naftopidil had similar affinities in all model systems (approximately 10 nM and 130 nM, respectively) and lacked relevant selectivity for ₁-adrenoceptor subtypes. Their potency to inhibit noradrenaline-stimulated inositol phosphate formation in cerebral cortex matched their affinities as determined in the binding studies. Tamsulosin had higher affinity at _1A- than at _1B-adrenoceptors, and was slightly more potent than alfuzosin and naftopidil at _1B- and considerably more potent at _1A-adrenoceptors. However, the interaction of the tamsulosin isomers with chloroethylclonidine-insensitive (_1A-like) adrenoceptors was complex. A detailed analysis of the tamsulosin data and those obtained with other drugs, most notably noradrenaline and oxymetazoline, suggested that chloroethylclonidine-insensitive ₁-adrenoceptors may be heterogenous and that this heterogeneity may differ between cerebral cortex and kidney of the rat.     

Comparison of cloned and pharmacologically defined rat tissue α1-adrenoceptor subtypes

Multiple ₁-adrenoceptor subtypes have been defined by pharmacological and receptor cloning techniques, but the precise alignment of cloned and pharmacologically-defined subtypes is still unclear. We have compared the affinities of 8 subtype-selective compounds at three cloned ₁-adrenoceptor subtypes (rat _1B, bovine _1C rat _1A/D) with those previously determined by the same methods in rat spleen, cerebral cortex, and kidney (Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 348: 385–395, 1993). Among all compounds tested to date at cloned ₁-adrenoceptor subtypes (+)-tamsulosin appears to be the most selective with a rank order of potency _1C > _{1A/D 1B}. Affinities for the _1A-selective 5-methyl-urapidil, methoxamine, oxymetazoline, phentolamine and (–)- and (+)-tamsulosin and for noradrenaline and SDZ NVI-085 at the splenic _1B-adrenoceptors and at their low affinity sites in cerebral cortex and kidney correlated best with those at the cloned _1B-adrenoceptor. Affinities of these drugs at their high affinity sites in cerebral cortex (pharmacologically-defined _1A-adrenoceptor) were matched best by those at the cloned _1C-adrenoceptor. Rat kidney appears to contain two chloroethylclonidine-resistant ₁-adrenoceptor subtypes one of which is similar to the cloned at _1C- and one to the cloned _1A/D-adrenoceptor. We conclude that the cloned _1B-adrenoceptor is the genetic correlate of the pharmacologically-defined _1B-adrenoceptor. An ₁-adrenoceptor subtype corresponding to the cloned _1A/D-adrenoceptor appears to exist in rat kidney. Among cloned ₁-adrenoceptor subtypes, the bovine _1C-adrenoceptor bears the closest resemblance to the pharmacologically-defined _1A-adrenoceptor in rat cortex and to one of the chloroethylclonidine-insensitive subtypes in rat kidney.     

α1-Adrenoceptor subtype mediating contraction of the smooth muscle in the lower urinary tract and prostate of rabbits

Summary The -adrenoceptor subtype mediating contraction of the smooth muscle in the urinary bladder base (trigone), proximal urethra and prostate isolated from male rabbits was investigated by comparing the responsiveness to -adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists under condition where -adrenoceptors and neuronal and extraneuronal uptakes were inhibited. Noradrenaline (non-selective), phenylephrine (₁-selective) and clonidine (₂-selective) caused a dose-dependent contraction in the trigone, urethra and prostate. Phenylephrine acted as a full agonist whereas clonidine was a partial agonist. YM-12617 and prazosin (₁-selective), phentolamine (non-selective) and yohimbine (₂-selective) produced dose-dependent shifts to the right of the dose-response curves for noradrenaline, phenylephrine and clonidine in the all three tissues. YM-12617 (pA₂=9.77, 9.67 and 9.73 for trigone, urethra and prostate, respectively), prazosin (pA₂=8.26, 8.20 and 8.08), phentolamine (pA₂=7.67, 7.62 and 7.45) and yohimbine (pA₂=6.30, 6.30 and 5.94) showed constant pA₂ values irrespective of the agonists and tissues used, suggesting that only a single subclass of -adrenoceptors is present. The actual pA₂ values for these antagonists are comparable to those reported previously in tissues said to contain mainly ₁-adrenoceptors. Thus, we concluded that the postsynaptic -adrenoceptors of the rabbit trigone, urethra and prostate mediating contraction belong to the ₁-subtype.     

One-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional 1H- and 13C-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Analysis of Vitamin E Raw Materials or Analytical Reference Standards

Two-dimensional spectral analysis (COSY, HETCOR) was utilized to make the complete ¹³C- and ¹H-NMR assignments for -, -, --, and -tocopherol as well as for the acetate and succinate esters of -tocopherol. ¹³C-NMR was found to be especially useful in distinguishing between the various tocopherols and distinguishing between the d-isomer and the d,l-racemic mixture. HETCOR spectra were also found to be useful for the qualitative identification of mixtures of the tocopherols and sesame oil. Using a procedure designed to minimize errors arising from spin relaxation and nuclear Overhauser effects, ¹³C-NMR peak integrals were used to quantitate -tocopherol and -tocopherol in the presence of sesame oil using benzoic acid as the standard for calibration of the quantitation. The NMR results were compared to a capillary column gas chromatographic analysis of the individual -tocopherol and -tocopherol reference materials.Chris W. Myers: Recipient of the Analysis and Pharmaceutical Quality Section Undergraduate Award in Pharmaceutical Analysis from the APQ Section of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.     

An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group phase I trial of all-trans-retinoic acid and interferon-alpha: E2Y92

The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group conducted a Phase I trial to determine the maximally tolerated doses of combination therapy with alpha interferon (IFN-) and all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA). Fifty patients with incurable malignancies received IFN- administered subcutaneously three times weekly, and tRA administered by mouth at bedtime. Doses were escalated between patient groups, starting at tRA dose level of 45 mg/m² and 3 million units of IFN-.Major, dose-limiting toxicities were attributable to either the tRA (rash, chelitis) or IFN (constitutional symptoms), and were observed only at tRA dose levels of 224 mg/m² and 291 mg/m², or 6 million units of IFN-. The maximally tolerated dose level of 172.5 mg/m² of tRA and 3 million units of IFN- was well-tolerated, with no grade 3 or 4 toxicities attributable to therapy. One patient at the third dose level (75 mg/m² of tRA and 3 million units of IFN-) developed acute hepatic and renal failure and a metabolic encephalopathy of unclear etiology.We conclude that tRA and IFN- may be safely administered together at the maximally tolerated dose of tRA as a single agent without unexpected side effects. The recommended doses of IFN- and tRA for Phase II trials are 3 million units of IFN- and 172.5 mg/m² of tRA.     

Changes in platelet alpha2-adrenoceptors in human phaeochromocytoma

Summary In a 44 year-old male with a surgically proven phaeochromocytoma platelet ₂-adrenoceptor density, determined by³H-yohimbine binding, was only 50% of that in an age-matched control group, and plasma catecholamines were elevated. Two weeks after removal of the tumour, platelet ₂-adrenoceptor density and plasma catecholamines had become normal and were not significantly different from the controls. It is concluded that endogenous catecholamines may play an important role in regulation of ₂-adrenoceptor density and hence tissue sensitivity to -adrenergic stimulation in the human being.     

Vasoconstriction mediated by postsynaptic α2-adrenoceptor stimulation

Summary The postsynaptic -adrenoceptors involved in vasoconstriction brought about by B-HT 933 (2-amino-6-ethyl-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-6H-oxazolo-[5,4-d]-azepin) administered i.v. to pithed, normotensive rats were characterized. The rate of onset of the hypertensive response to i.v. B-HT 933 is slower than that induced by (–)-phenylephrine, an agonist of ₁-adrenoceptor. The antagonism of the -adrenoceptor blocking drugs rauwolscine, yohimbine and corynanthine was quantified towards B-HT 933-induced increases in diastolic pressure. Rauwolscine (pA₂=7.06) and yohimbine (pA₂=6.83) were effective antagonists, whereas corynanthine proved much less potent (pA₂=5.03). On the basis of the reported selectivity of yohimbine and its two diastereoisomers rauwolscine and corynanthine for ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptor, it is concluded that the postsynaptic -adrenoceptors triggered by B-HT 933 are of the ₂-type. B-HT 933 identifies a subclass of postsynaptic ₂-adrenoceptor in vascular smooth muscle distinct from postsynaptic ₁-adrenoceptor. Both types of -adrenoceptors are likely to be involved in the mediation of vasoconstriction.Preliminary data were presented at the 21th Spring Meeting of the German Pharmacological Soceity, Mainz, March 18–21, 1980 (Timmermans, 1980)     

Evidence against a functional link between noradrenaline uptake mechanisms and presynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors

Summary Slices prepared from rat cerebral cortex were labelled with ³H-noradrenaline and superfused. Electrical field stimulation was carried out 15 min (S₁) and 45 min (S₂) after the start of collection of 5-min samples using 4 pulses delivered at 100 Hz. Drugs acting at ₂-adrenoceptors were added 20 min before S₂, and their effects were evaluated using the S₂/S₁-ratio. The ₂-adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan (1 mol/l) and rauwolscine (1 mol/l) failed to increase stimulation-evoked overflow of radioactivity in the absence or presence of the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor desipramine (1 gmol/l). This indicates that the duration of electrical stimulation was too short to allow development of ₂-adrenoceptor-mediated auto-inhibition by released noradrenaline. The effect of clonidine (3–1000 nmol/l) on stimulation-evoked overflow of radioactivity was tested in the absence and presence of three different reuptake inhibitors (desipramine, 1 ol/l; maprotiline, 1 ol/l; cocaine, 10 mol/l). The analysis yielded identical concentration-response curves under all conditions. These results argue against an action of inhibitors of neuronal reuptake of noradrenaline at the presynaptic ₂-adrenoceptor and against the concept of a functional link between uptake site and receptor. Send offprint requests to E. A. Singer     

Pharmacological profile of a new potent and specific α2-adrenoceptor antagonist,L-657,743

Summary L-657,743, (2S,12bS)1,3-dimethylspiro (1, 3,4,5, 6,6, 7,12 b-octahydro-2-H-benzo[b]furo[2,3-a]quinolizine)-2, 4- pyrimidin-2-one, was tested in several in vitro and in vivo models for ₂-adrenoceptor antagonism. L-657,743 exhibited a high affinity ( 1 nM) for ₂-adrenoceptors labelled by [³H] rauwolscine or [3H]clonidine with a 240-fold selectivity versus ₁-adrenoceptors labelled by [³H]prazosin. L-657,743 was a potent, selective, and competitive ₂-adrenoceptor antagonist in the rat isolated vas deferens (pA₂ = 9.3 vs clonidine; pA₂ = 7.1 vs methoxamine). In vivo, L-657,743 potently blocked clonidine-induced mydriasis in the rat and stimulated cerebrocortical norepinephrine synthesis, two indices of central ₂-adrenoceptor antagonism. L-657,743 exhibited a comparatively low affinity for several monoamine receptor subtypes (D₁, D₂, 5-HT₁, 5-HT₂) in radioligand binding assays in vitro and a comparatively low potency to alter the synthesis of brain DA and 5-HT in vivo indicating a marked ₂-specificity versus other monoamine receptor mechanisms. Compared to yohimbine, L-657,743 had considerably higher ₂-antagonist potency and ₂/₁ selectivity and was significantly more ₂-specific (i.e., vs. DA, 5-HT receptors). Send of fprint requests to : D. J. Pettibone at the above address     

Pre- and postsynaptic effects of yohimbine stereoisomers on noradrenergic transmission in the pulmonary artery of the rabbit

Summary Effects on noradrenergic neurotransmission of five stereoisomers of yohimbine and of the closely related compound yohimbol were studied in strips of the pulmonary artery of the rabbit. In some experiments the tissue was preincubated with ³H-noradrenaline. Three effects were observed. Firstly, antagonism to the contractile effect of noradrenaline and of sympathetic nerve stimulation; the antagonism reflected competitive blockade of postsynaptic -adrenoceptors. Secondly, an increase in the stimulation-evoked overflow of total tritium and ³H-noradrenaline; the increase appeared to be due to blockade of presynaptic -adrenoceptors. Thirdly, an increase in the basal outflow of ³H-3,4-dihydrophenylglycol, presumably by impairment of the vesicular storage of ³H-noradrenaline. According to their relative potencies in eliciting these effects, the drugs could be divided into three groups. Rauwolscine, -yohimbine and yohimbol preferentially blocked the presynaptic -adrenoceptor; rauwolscine and -yohimbine, like yohimbine, at low concentrations increased the contractile response to sympathetic nerve stimulation. Corynanthine preferentially blocked the postsynaptic -adrenoceptor. Pseudoyohimbine and 3-epi--yohimbine were very weak antagonists at either receptor; they mainly accelerated the basal outflow of ³H-3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol.From these results and those of a previous study it is concluded that, in a series of twelve -adrenolytic drugs, rauwolscine shows the greatest preference for presynaptic and corynanthine the greatest preference for postsynaptic -adrenoceptors. In view of the chemical similarity of the two compounds these opposite properties are striking. Corynanthine and rauwolscine might be useful tools for the subclassification of -adrenoceptors.     

Further studies on (±)-YM-12617, a potent and selective α1-adrenoceptor antagonist and its individual optical enantiomers

Summary YM-12617, 5-[2-[[2-(o-ethoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]propyl]-2-methoxybenzenesulfonamide HCl is structurally novel, an extremely potent and highly selective ₁-adrenoceptor antagonist. An asymmetric center exists at the -carbon atom in the phenethylamine portion of YM-12617, therefore two optical enantiomers exist. -Adrenoceptor blocking properties and hypotensive activities of YM-12617 and its enantiomers have been compared in vitro and in vivo. 1. In the isolated rabbit aorta, R(–)- and S(+)-YM-12617 competitively antagonized phenylephrine-induced contraction with pA₂ values of 9.95 and 7.69, respectively. Although R(–)- and S(+)-YM-12617 were also competitive antagonists toward UK-14,304 at prejunctional ₂-adrenoceptors in the isolated guinea-pig ileum, the affinities of R(–)-YM-12617 (pA₂ = 6.18) and S(+)-YM-12617 (pA₂ = 5.64) for these receptors were 5,900 and 110 times lower than those displayed for postjunctional ₁-adrenoceptors in the isolated rabbit aorta. 2. R(–)- and S(+)-YM-12617 displaced both ³H-prazosin and ³H-idazoxan binding to rat brain membranes; however, the affinities of the R(–)- and S(+)-enantiomers for ₁-adrenoceptors (pK_i = 9.95 and 7.83, respectively) were 21,000 and 72 times higher than those for ₂-adrenoceptors (pK _i = 5.62 and 5.97), respectively. 3. Based on pA₂ values obtained in the isolated tissues and pK _i values in the binding assays, R(–)-YM-12617 was 132–182 times more potent than S(+)-YM-12617 as an antagonist at ₁-adrenoceptors. In contrast, the R(–)- and S(+)-enantiomers were similar in potency at blocking ₂-adrenoceptors. 4. In normotensive pithed rats, R(–)- and S(+)-YM-12617 preferentially antagonized the ₁-adrenoceptor mediated pressor effect of phenylephrine with DR₁₀ values of 1.38 and 705 g/kg i. v., respectively, although a high dose (3,000 g/kg i.v.) also inhibited the effect of UK-14,304 at postjunctional ₂-adrenoceptors. R(–)-YM-12617 exhibited an over 2,000-fold selectivity for postjunctional ₁-adrenoceptors, and R(–)-YM-12617 was over 500 times more potent than S(+)-YM-12617 in antagonizing postjunctional ₁-adrenoceptors based on DR₁₀ values. 5. In anesthetized rats, R(–)- and S(+)-YM-12617 dose-dependently produced hypotension with ED₂₀ values, doses required decreased mean blood pressure by 20%, of 0.64 and 61 g/kg i. v., respectively. R(–)-YM-12617 exerted a 95 times more potent hypotensive activity than S(+)-YM-12617, and its isomeric activity ratio was consistent with that for ₁-adrenoceptors but not ₂-adrenoceptors. 6. The present results suggest that the high stereoselectivity of the optical enantiomers of YM-12617 is in the ₁-adrenoceptor, but not in the ₂-adrenoceptor, and their antagonist potency for ₁-adrenoceptors is likely to contribute to the hypotensive effect. Send offprint requests to K. Honda     

Binding of 3H-clonidine to an α-adrenoceptor in membranes of guinea-pig ileum

Summary The binding of ³H-clonidine to membrane particles from guinea-pig ileum was investigated. The specific binding, i.e. the binding that could be inhibited by high concentrations of unlabeled clonidine or noradrenaline, was of high affinity, K _D3 nM. The number of sites was approximately 25 fmol/mg protein. Rate constants of association and dissociation were 5.3×10⁷ M^–1 min^–1 and 0.18 min^–1, respectively. Affinites of various drugs to the binding site were determined by measuring their effect on the binding of ³H-clonidine. The affinity of adrenergic agonists decreased in the order clonidine = tramazoline > (–)-erythro--methylnoradrenaline > (–)-noradrenaline (–)-phenylephrine. (–)-Noradrenaline had about 20 times more affinity than the (+)-isomer. The affinity of -adrenoceptor antagonists decreased in the order phentolamine > rauwolscine = yohimbine > WB 4101 > pseudoyohimbine > prazosin = corynanthine. Yohimbine and rauwolscine had about 100 times more affinity than their stereoisomer corynanthine. Serotonin 10 M and metiamide 10 M did not affect the binding, and propranolol inhibited it only at high concentrations. — The results indicate that ³H-clonidine labels an ₂-adrenoceptor in guinea-pig ileum. The orders of affinity of -adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists agree well with their orders of potency in functional tests, namely as modulators of cholinergic transmission in the guinea-pig ileum and as modulators of noradrenaline release in the rabbit pulmonary artery. An -adrenoceptor should be classified as ₂ when the affinities of clonidine, tramazoline and -methylnoradrenaline greatly exceed the affinity of phenylephrine, and when the affinities of rauwolscine and yohimbine exceed those of prazosin and corynanthine.