Effect of JTH-601, a novel alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, on the function of lower urinary tract and blood pressure.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of JTH-601 (3-{N-[2-(4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-5-methylphenoxy)ethyl]-N-methylaminomethyl}-4-methoxy-2,5,6-trimethylphenol hemifumarate), a novel alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, in vitro and in vivo. JTH-601 (10(-9)-3 x 10(-8) M) competitively antagonized phenylephrine-induced contraction in lower urinary tract tissues (prostate, urethra and bladder trigon) in a concentration-dependent manner. The mean pA2 values for JTH-601 were 8.59+/-0.14, 8.74+/-0.09 and 8.77+/-0.11 for prostate, urethra and bladder trigon, respectively. In anesthetized rabbits, intraduodenal administration of JTH-601 (0.3-3 mg/kg), prazosin (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) and tamsulosin (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) dose dependently inhibited the phenylephrine-induced increase in urethral pressure for 3 h. Although these drugs also decreased mean blood pressure, JTH-601 was less potent than prazosin or tamsulosin. In conscious rabbits, administered JTH-601 (0.01-1 mg/kg, i.v.) had a tendency to augment orthostatic hypotension, but dose dependency was not evident. Prazosin (0.01-1 mg/kg) and tamsulosin (0.001-1 mg/kg) dose dependently augmented orthostatic hypotension. These results indicate that JTH-601 antagonized alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated contractile responses more potently than prazosin or tamsulosin in rabbit lower urinary tract both in vitro and in vivo. JTH-601 is therefore expected to be effective in the treatment of urinary outlet obstruction in benign prostatic hypertrophy.     

Effect of JTH-601, a putative alpha(1L)-adrenoceptor antagonist, on guinea pig nasal mucosa vasculature

The existence of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors with low affinity for prazosin, an alpha(1L) subtype, has been proposed in addition to alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes with high affinity for prazosin, i.e. the alpha(1H) group: alpha(1A), alpha(1B) and alpha(1D) subtypes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of JTH-601 (3-(N-[2-(4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-5-methylphenoxy)ethyl]-N-methylaminomethyl)-4-methoxy-2,5,6-trimethylphenol hemifumarate), a putative alpha(1L)-adrenoceptor antagonist, on the isolated guinea pig nasal mucosa vasculature. JTH-601 (0.01-0.03 microM) competitively antagonized the noradrenaline-induced contraction of the tissue in a concentration-dependent manner. The pA(2) value for JTH-601 was 8.14 +/- 0.04 (means +/- SEM, n = 6). The data suggests that the alpha(1L)-subtype is involved in the noradrenaline-induced contraction of the guinea pig nasal mucosa vasculature.     

Age-related change of the role of alpha1L-adrenoceptor in canine urethral smooth muscle.

To examine age-related alteration of the role of alpha1L-adrenoceptor in the urethra, young non-parous and aged parous female dogs were used. In a functional study, we evaluated phenylephrine-induced contraction and antagonistic effects of JTH-601, a newly synthesized alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, and prazosin; in a localization survey using autoradiographic technique, we investigated specific [3H]JTH-601 and [3H]tamsulosin binding. Concentration-response curves were obtained for phenylephrine (pD2 = 5.0-5.3). JTH-601 and prazosin antagonized this contraction with pA2 values of 8.2-8.3 and 8.0-8.1, respectively. Specific binding of both [3H]JTH-601 and [3H]tamsulosin were observed in the bladder neck and proximal section of urethra. There were no significant differences of the pD2, pA2, and radio ligand binding between young non-parous and aged parous dogs.     

Ex vivo and in vivo alpha1-adrenoceptor binding characteristics of a novel alpha1L-adrenoceptor antagonist, JTH-601, in rat tissues.

In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo alpha1-adrenoceptor binding of JTH-601 (3-[N-[2-(4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-5-methylphenoxy)ethyl]-N-methylaminometh yl]-4-methoxy-2,5,6-trimethyl-phenol hemifumarate), a novel alpha1L-adrenoceptor antagonist, in rat tissues was investigated. JTH-601 competed in a concentration-dependent manner with [3H]prazosin for binding sites in the prostate, submaxillary gland and spleen of rats in vitro, and the inhibitory effect was not largely different among these tissues, as shown by the Ki values of 2-3 nM. At 0.25, 0.5 and 3 h after oral administration of JTH-601 (6.5 micromol/kg) in rats, there was a significant (57, 64 and 28%, respectively) increase in the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) for prostatic [3H]prazosin binding, compared to the control value. The administration of a higher dose (21.8 micromol/kg) of this agent produced greater (67-99%) increases in Kd values for prostatic [3H]prazosin binding at 0.5-12 h later. Similar significant increases in Kd values, as with the prostate, were seen in the submaxillary gland and heart 0.25-12 h after the oral administration of JTH-601 (6.5 and 21.8 micromol/kg), but significant increases in the spleen and cerebral cortex were seen only at 0.25-3 h and 0.5 h, respectively. At 10 min of i.v. injection of [3H]JTH-601 in rats, in vivo specific binding was observed in the prostate, cerebral cortex, submaxillary gland, spleen and heart but not in the aorta. The binding in the prostate, submaxillary gland and heart, but not in the cerebral cortex and spleen, lasted until 120 min. It is concluded that JTH-601 may exert a considerably sustained blockade of alpha1-adrenoceptors in the prostate of rats. This finding may be important in characterizing the therapeutic effect of JTH-601 for bladder outlet obstruction in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

Disposition and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor binding characteristics of JTH-601 and its metabolites in rat tissues.

The present study was performed to characterize the disposition and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor binding of JTH-601, a novel alpha(1L)-adrenoceptor antagonist, and its metabolites (beta-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid, JTH-601-G1; hydrogen sulfate, JTH-601-S1) in the rat prostate and other tissues. JTH-601, JTH-601-G1, and JTH-601-S1 inhibited competitively specific [(3)H]tamsulosin binding in the prostate, submaxillary gland, and spleen of rats in vitro, and the inhibitory effect of JTH-601 was 2. 5 to 6.4 times more potent than that of its metabolites. JTH-601 and its metabolites inhibited dose dependently in vivo specific [(3)H]tamsulosin binding in the particulate fraction of the prostate, aorta, submaxillary gland, and spleen of rats. Compared with that of JTH-601, the in vivo inhibitory effect of JTH-601-G1 was 1.9 to 2. 9 times more potent, and the effect of JTH-601-S1 was 1.3 to 3.2 times less potent. Based on the ratios of ID(50) values, JTH-601 and JTH-601-G1 appeared to be 4.0 to 6.9 times more selective than prazosin as far as the alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in the prostate and submaxillary gland versus the spleen or aorta were concerned. The total radioactivity in rat tissues after i.v. injection of [(3)H]JTH-601-G1 was considerably lower than that of [(3)H]JTH-601. The plasma concentration of [(3)H]JTH-601-G1 at 10 min after i.v. injection in rats was 3 times higher than that of [(3)H]JTH-601, and conversely, the concentration in the prostate was 3 times lower. Although in vivo [(3)H]JTH-601-G1 binding at 10 min was significantly lower than that of [(3)H]JTH-601 in most rat tissues, there was comparable binding between these radioligands in the prostate and vas deferens. Specific binding of [(3)H]JTH-601, at 60 min after i.v. injection compared with that at 10 min, was considerably reduced in rat tissues except the prostate and vas deferens, both of which showed relatively sustained binding. In conclusion, the present study has shown that JTH-601 and its metabolites bind to alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in rat tissues in vivo and that JTH-601-G1 retains the prostatic alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype selectivity of its parent compound.     

Distribution of alpha1L-adrenoceptors in canine prostate: characterization by quantitative autoradiography

Our aim was to determine the distribution of alpha1L-adrenoceptors in canine prostate by an autoradiographic technique using [3H]JTH-601 (an alpha1L-adrenoceptor antagonist) and [3H]JTH-601-G1 (an active metabolite of JTH-601). Prostates were removed from three male beagle dogs. Several slices of the specimens were incubated with 5 nM of [3H]JTH-601, [3H]JTH-601-G1 and [3H]tamsulosin (an alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonist). For macroscopic autoradiography, visualization was performed using an imaging plate and image-analyser. To examine microscopic localization of binding sites, preparations were exposed, developed and fixed. Specific binding of [3H]JTH-601 and [3H]JTH-601-G1 was observed diffusely throughout the entire interstitium on macroscopic autoradiography. Specific binding of [3H]tamsulosin was also recognized although the binding was weaker than that of [3H]JTH-601. On microscopic autoradiograms, the grains of each ligand were mainly distributed on smooth muscle. These results indicate morphologically that specific binding sites of JTH-601 and JTH-601-G1 exist in canine prostate, suggesting the distribution of alpha1L-adrenoceptors in this tissue, in addition to alpha1A-adrenoceptors.     

Pharmacological properties of naftopidil, a drug for treatment of the bladder outlet obstruction for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Naftopidil, a phenylpiperazine derivative, is a novel alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist and is new drug for the bladder outlet obstruction in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Naftopidil competitively inhibited specific [3H]prazosin binding in prostatic membranes of humans, and its Ki value was 11.6 nM. Using cloned human alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes (alpha 1a, alpha 1b and alpha 1d), naftopidil was selective for the alpha 1d-adrenoceptor with approximately 3- and 17-fold higher affinity than for the alpha 1a- and alpha 1b-adrenoceptor subtypes, respectively. In anesthetized dogs, naftopidil selectively inhibited the phenylephrine-induced increase in prostatic pressure compared with mean blood pressure. The selectivity of naftopidil for prostatic pressure was more potent than those of tamsulosin and prazosin. In conscious rabbits, the effect of naftopidil on the blood pressure reactions following the tilting was less potent than those of tamsulosin and prazosin. In clinical studies, naftopidil has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction in patients with BPH. In Japan, naftopidil has been already approved for clinical use as a drug for BPH.     

Differential regulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate by co-existing P2Y-purinoceptors and nucleotide receptors on bovine aortic endothelial cells.

1. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating contractions of the smooth muscle in human prostatic urethra and branches of internal iliac artery were characterized in isometric contraction experiments. 2. Phenylephrine produced concentration-dependent contractions in both the urethra and artery. These responses were competitively inhibited by prazosin, WB4101 and 5-methyl-urapidil, and the slopes of Schild plots for all these antagonists were close to unity. 3. The pA2 values for prazosin were not significantly different between the urethra (9.42 +/- 0.11; mean +/- s.d.) and artery (9.50 +/- 0.27), while the pA2 values for WB4101 and 5-methyl-urapidil in the human prostatic urethra (8.94 +/- 0.19 and 8.42 +/- 0.14, respectively) were significantly greater than in the branches of human internal iliac artery (7.94 +/- 0.21 and 7.43 +/- 0.22, respectively; P < 0.01). 4. Pretreatment with chlorethylclonidine (CEC) at concentrations ranging from 0.1 microM to 100 microM attenuated the maximum contraction to phenylephrine in a concentration-dependent manner in both the urethra and artery. However, the urethra was significantly less affected by CEC than the artery. The pD'2 values (negative logarithm of the molar concentration of antagonist which reduced the maximum contraction to one half) in the urethra and artery were 4.35 +/- 0.27 and 5.20 +/- 0.37, respectively (P < 0.01). 5. The present results indicate that there are distinct populations of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the human prostatic urethra and branches of the internal iliac artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Naftopidil, a novel alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, displays selective inhibition of canine prostatic pressure and high affinity binding to cloned human alpha1-adrenoceptors.

The pharmacological profiles of the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists naftopidil, tamsulosin and prazosin were studied in an anesthetized dog model that allowed the simultaneous assessment of their antagonist potency against phenylephrine-mediated increases in prostatic pressure and mean blood pressure. The intravenous administration of each of these compounds dose-dependently inhibited phenylephrine-induced increases in prostatic pressure and mean blood pressure. To further assess the ability of the three compounds to inhibit phenylephrine-induced responses, the doses required to produce a 50% inhibition of the phenylephrine-induced increases in prostatic and mean blood pressure and the selectivity index obtained from the ratio of those two doses were determined for each test compound. Forty minutes after the intravenous administration of naftopidil, the selectivity index was 3.76, and those of tamsulosin and prazosin were 1.23 and 0.61, respectively. These findings demonstrated that naftopidil selectively inhibited the phenylephrine-induced increase in prostatic pressure compared with mean blood pressure in the anesthetized dog model. The selectivity of naftopidil for prostatic pressure was the most potent among the test compounds. In addition, using cloned human alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes, naftopidil was selective for the alpha1d-adrenoceptor with approximately 3- and 17-fold higher affinity than for the alpha1a- and alpha1b-adrenoceptor subtypes, respectively. The selectivity of naftopidil for prostatic pressure may be attributable to its high binding affinity for alpha1a- and alpha1d-adrenoceptor subtypes.     

Analysis of alpha 1L-adrenoceptor pharmacology in rat small mesenteric artery.

1. To illuminate the controversy on alpha 1A- or alpha 1L-adrenoceptor involvement in noradrenaline-mediated contractions of rat small mesenteric artery (SMA), we have studied the effects of subtype-selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists under different experimental conditions. 2. The agonist potency order in rat SMA was: A61603 > SKF89748-A > cirazoline > noradrenaline > ST-587 > methoxamine. Prazosin antagonized all agonists with a low potency (pA2: 8.29-8.80) indicating the involvement of alpha 1L-rather than alpha 1A-adrenoceptors. 3. The putative alpha 1L-adrenoceptor antagonist JTH-601, but not the alpha 1B-adrenoceptor antagonist chloroethylclonidine (10 microM) antagonized noradrenaline-induced contractions of SMA. The potency of the selective alpha 1D-adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 against noradrenaline (pA2 = 6.16 +/- 0.13) and of the selective alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonist RS-17053 against noradrenaline (pKB = 8.35 +/- 0.10) and against the selective alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist A-61603 (pKB = 8.40 +/- 0.09) were too low to account for alpha 1D- and alpha 1A-adrenoceptor involvement. 4. The potency of RS-17053 (pKB/pA2's = 7.72-8.46) was not affected by lowering temperature, changing experimental protocol or inducing myogenic tone via KCl or U46619. 5. Selective protection of a putative alpha 1A-adrenoceptor population against the irreversible action of phenoxybenzamine also failed to increase the potency of RS-17053 (pA2 = 8.25 +/- 0.06 against A61603). 6. Combined concentration-ratio analysis demonstrated that tamsulosin, which does not discriminate between alpha 1A- and alpha 1L-adrenoceptors, and RS-17053 competed for binding at the same site in the SMA. 7. In summary, data obtained in our experiments in rat SMA indicate that the alpha 1-adrenoceptor mediating noradrenaline-induced contraction displays a distinct alpha 1L-adrenoceptor pharmacology. This study does not provide evidence for the hypothesis that alpha 1L-adrenoceptors represent an affinity state of the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor in functional assays. Furthermore, there is no co-existing alpha 1A-adrenoceptor in the SMA.     

Alpha(1L)-, but not alpha(1H)-, adrenoceptor antagonist prevents allergic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs in vivo

alpha-Adrenoceptors have been classified into alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors. Recently, the alpha(1)-adrenoceptors were divided into two subtypes: alpha(1L) with low affinity and alpha(1H) with high affinity for prazosin. Little is known concerning the role of each subtype of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor in asthma. We investigated the effects of specific antagonists of alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-, alpha(1H)-, alpha(1L)-, and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, namely moxisylyte, prazosin, 3-[N-[2-(4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-5-methylphenoxy) ethyl]-N-methylaminomethyl]-4-methoxy-2, 5, 6-trimethylphenol hemifumarate (JTH-601), and yohimbine, respectively, on antigen-induced airway reactions in guinea pigs. Fifteen minutes after intravenous administration of moxisylyte (0.01, 0.1 or 1 mg/kg), prazosin (0.01, 0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg), JTH-601 (1, 3, 6 or 10 mg/kg) or yohimbine (0.1 or 1 mg/kg), passively sensitized and artificially ventilated animals received an aerosolized antigen challenge. Bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine was assessed as the dose of methacholine required to produce a 200% increase in the pressure at the airway opening (PC(200)) in non-sensitized animals. JTH-601 and moxisylyte, but not prazosin or yohimbine, dose dependently inhibited antigen-induced bronchoconstriction. None of the tested drugs altered PC(200). JTH-601 significantly reduced leukotriene C(4) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained 5 min after antigen challenge, but prazosin did not. These results indicate that prevention of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction by blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors is due to the inhibition of mediator release via alpha(1L)-adrenoceptor antagonism.     

Pharmacological characteristics of inhibitory action of the selective alpha1-antagonist JTH-601 on the positive inotropic effect mediated by alpha1-adrenoceptors in isolated rabbit papillary muscle

Influence of JTH-601 [N-(3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2,4,5-trimethylbenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-5-methylphenoxy)ethylamine hemifumarate], a selective alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, on alpha1-mediated positive inotropic effect (PIE) was studied in isolated rabbit papillary muscle (1 Hz at 37 degrees C). JTH-601 (0.1-10 microM) shifted the concentration-response curve (CRC) for PIE of phenylephrine mediated by alpha1-adrenoceptor (with timolol at 1 microM) to the right and downward. In the presence of 100 nM WB 4101, an alpha1A antagonist, the shift to the right disappeared and JTH-601 (1-3 microM) shifted CRC for phenylephrine downward. The antagonistic action of JTH-601 was unchanged by 100 nM (+)-niguldipine, another alpha1A antagonist. Following pretreatment with 10 microM chloroethylclonidine, an alpha1B antagonist, the shift of CRC for phenylephrine to the right disappeared and JTH-601 (3-10 microM) shifted CRC downward. Antagonistic action of JTH-601 (3 microM) was unaltered by 100 nM BMY 7378, an alpha1D antagonist. JTH-601 (10 microM) had no effect on beta-mediated PIE of isoproterenol. These results indicate that JTH-601 exerts an inhibitory action on alpha1-mediated PIE through antagonism of alpha1A- and/or alpha1B-adrenoceptors in rabbit ventricular myocardium. As an alpha1 antagonist, JTH-601 is much less potent in rabbit ventricular muscle than in smooth muscle.     

In vivo experiments for the evaluation of alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonistic effects of SGB-1534 on canine urethra

The alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking effects of SGB-1534 on the urethral smooth muscle were compared in in vivo lower urinary tract preparations of anesthetized dogs, with the effects of other alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, prazosin and bunazosin. Hypogastric nerve stimulation and selective administration of phenylephrine to the urethra and bladder through the cannulated right external iliac artery (i.a.) elicited reproducible frequency- and dose-dependent increases in intra-urethral pressure. Intra-bladder pressure was increased by the nerve stimulation but not by i.a. phenylephrine. SGB-1534, prazosin or bunazosin (0.1-10 micrograms/kg i.v.) dose dependently suppressed the urethral contraction evoked by the nerve stimulation and i.a. phenylephrine but did not influence the bladder contraction elicited by nerve stimulation. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking potency of SGB-1534 was approximately 2.3 and 8.1 times greater than that of prazosin and bunazosin, respectively. The results indicate that alpha 1-adrenoceptors may mediate mainly the urethral contraction induced by hypogastric nerve stimulation and i.a. phenylephrine, and that SGB-1534 was more potent alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking activity than prazosin and bunazosin in the canine urethra.     

Tamsulosin: assessment of affinityof (3)H-P razosin binding to two alpha-1- adrenoceptor subtypes in the canine aorta.

This study was performed to assess the affinity of tamsulosin to the alpha(1L)- in addition to alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) subtypes coexisting in the canine aorta using the radioligand binding assay. The antagonistic effects of this drug on contraction of the rat aorta were also assessed, and the results were compared with those obtained with prazosin, amosulalol, labetalol, ketanserin, clonidine and propranolol. The pKi value of tamsulosin to the alpha(1L)-subtype was lower than those of prazosin and HV-723, but higher than those of amosulalol, ketanserin and labetalol. The pKi value of tamsulosin for the alpha(1B)-subtype in the canine aorta was similar to that of prazosin. However, this drug showed a higher pKi value than amosulalol, HV-723, labetalol and ketanserin. On the other hand, the order of inhibition potencies for contraction of the rat aorta by phenylephrine was as follows: prazosin > tamsulosin > amosulalol > HV-723 > labetalol > ketanserin > clonidine > propranolol. Thus, although the affinity of tamsulosin to the alpha(1B)-AR subtype in the canine aorta was as high as that in the bovine prostate reported in our previous study, the affinity (pKi 7. 87) of this drug to alpha(1L)-AR in the canine aorta was lower than that (pKi 8.99) in the bovine prostate. These observations suggested that the pharmacological potencies of tamsulosin in the aorta and prostate may be different.     

Evaluation of the pharmacological selectivity profile of alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonists at prostatic alpha 1 adrenoceptors: binding, functional and in vivo studies.

1. The profile of a range of alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonists was determined in vitro against cloned human alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1D adrenoceptors and against noradrenaline-mediated contractions of rat aorta and human prostate. The in vivo profile of compounds was determined in an anaesthetized dog model which allowed the simultaneous assessment of antagonist potency against phenylephrine-mediated increases in blood pressure and prostatic pressure. 2. The quinazoline antagonists, prazosin, doxazosin and alfuzosin displayed high affinity but were non selective for the three cloned human alpha 1 adrenoceptors. Indoramin and SNAP 1069 showed selectivity for alpha 1A and alpha 1B adrenoceptors relative to the alpha 1D subtype. Rec 15/2739, WB 4101, SL 89,0591, (+)- and (-)- tamsulosin showed selectivity for alpha 1A and alpha 1D adrenoceptors relative to the alpha 1B subtype. RS 17053 showed high affinity and selectivity for alpha 1A adrenoceptors (pKi 8.6) relative to alpha 1B (pKi = 7.3) and alpha 1D (pKi = 7.1) subtypes. 3. (+)-Tamsulosin, (-)-tamsulosin, SL 89,0591, Rec 15/2739, SNAP 1069 and RS 17053 appeared to act as competitive antagonists of noradrenaline-mediated contractions of rat aorta yielding pA2 affinity estimates which were similar to binding affinities at cloned human alpha 1D adrenoceptors. The following rank order was obtained: prazosin = (-)-tamsulosin > doxazosin > SL 89,0591 = (+)-tamsulosin > Rec 15/2739 > RS 17053 = SNAP 1069. 4. (-)-Tamsulosin was a very potent, insurmountable antagonist of noradrenaline-mediated contractions of human prostate, yielding an approximate pA2 estimate of 9.8 at 1 nM. The corresponding (+)-enantiomer was 30 fold weaker. SL 89,0591, SNAP 1069 and Rec 15/2739 yielded pA2 estimates which compared well with their alpha 1A binding affinities. The affinity estimate for prazosin on human prostate was lower than the corresponding binding affinity determined at alpha 1A adrenoceptors and RS 17053 was a very weak antagonist on human prostate (pA2 = 6.0) relative to the high affinity (pKi = 8.6) determined at cloned human alpha 1A adrenoceptors. 5. In the anaesthetized dog, in vivo pseudo "pA2' values showed that doxazosin, (+)- and (-)-tamsulosin inhibited phenylephrine-induced increases in prostatic and blood pressure with similar affinity, implying that these agents show little or no selectivity for prostatic responses in this model. SL 89,0591 and SNAP 1069 were moderately selective (3 and 6 fold respectively) for prostatic pressure relative to blood pressure. Rec 15/2739 was a more potent antagonist of phenylephrine-mediated increases in prostatic pressure ("pA2' = 8.74) compared to blood pressure ("pA2' = 7.51). 6. Data in this study suggest that the alpha 1 adrenoceptor mediating noradrenaline-induced contractions of human prostate, whilst having some of the characteristics of an alpha 1A adrenoceptor, cannot be satisfactorily aligned with cloned alpha 1A, alpha 1B or alpha 1D adrenoceptors. In addition, studies in the anaesthetized dog have shown that agents having high affinity and selectivity for prostatic alpha 1 adrenoceptors, particularly over the alpha 1D subtype, appear to inhibit phenylephrine-induced increases in prostatic pressure selectively compared to blood pressure.     

In vitro alpha1-adrenoceptor pharmacology of Ro 70-0004 and RS-100329, novel alpha1A-adrenoceptor selective antagonists.

It has been hypothesized that in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, selective antagonism of the alpha1A-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of lower urinary tract tissues may, via a selective relief of outlet obstruction, lead to an improvement in symptoms. The present study describes the alpha1-adrenoceptor (alpha1-AR) subtype selectivities of two novel alpha1-AR antagonists, Ro 70-0004 (aka RS-100975) and a structurally-related compound RS-100329, and compares them with those of prazosin and tamsulosin. Radioligand binding and second-messenger studies in intact CHO-K1 cells expressing human cloned alpha1A-, alpha1B- and alpha1D-AR showed nanomolar affinity and significant alpha1A-AR subtype selectivity for both Ro 70-0004 (pKi 8.9: 60 and 50 fold selectivity) and RS-100329 (pKi 9.6: 126 and 50 fold selectivity) over the alpha1B- and alpha1D-AR subtypes respectively. In contrast, prazosin and tamsulosin showed little subtype selectivity. Noradrenaline-induced contractions of human lower urinary tract (LUT) tissues or rabbit bladder neck were competitively antagonized by Ro 70-0004 (pA2 8.8 and 8.9), RS-100329 (pA2 9.2 and 9.2), tamsulosin (pA2 10.4 and 9.8) and prazosin (pA2 8.7 and 8.3 respectively). Affinity estimates for tamsulosin and prazosin in antagonizing alpha1-AR-mediated contractions of human renal artery (HRA) and rat aorta (RA) were similar to those observed in LUT tissues, whereas Ro 70-0004 and RS-100329 were approximately 100 fold less potent (pA2 values of 6.8/6.8 and 7.3/7.9 in HRA/RA respectively). The alpha1A-AR subtype selectivity of Ro 70-0004 and RS-100329, demonstrated in both cloned and native systems, should allow for an evaluation of the clinical utility of a 'uroselective' agent for the treatment of symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

In vivo study on the effects of alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists on intraurethral pressure in the prostatic urethra and intraluminal pressure in the vas deferens in male dogs

Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists are used worldwide for the treatment of voiding dysfunction associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Recently, abnormal ejaculation, an adverse effect associated with their use, has attracted attention. Here, we simultaneously investigated the effects of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists on intraurethral pressure in the prostatic urethra and intraluminal pressure in the vas deferens in anesthetized male dogs, and compared their tissue selectivity. Phenylephrine, an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist, induced simultaneous increases in intraurethral and intraluminal pressure. Alfuzosin, naftopidil, prazosin, silodosin and tamsulosin dose-dependently inhibited both responses. Comparison of ED(50) values in both tissues showed that silodosin had the highest selectivity for the vas deferens (7.5-fold), followed by naftopidil (4.3-fold), alfuzosin (3.8-fold), tamsulosin (2.6-fold) and prazosin (2.5-fold). These results suggest that alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists inhibit contraction of not only the urethra but also the vas deferens in a dose-dependent fashion, and that their high tissue selectivity for the vas deferens over the urethra may contribute to the incidence of abnormal ejaculation.     

Effect of tamsulosin on spontaneous bladder contraction in conscious rats with bladder outlet obstruction: comparison with effect on intraurethral pressure

We investigated the effect of tamsulosin, an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, on bladder function, especially spontaneous bladder contractions before micturition (premicturition contraction), in conscious rats with bladder outlet obstruction induced by partial urethral ligation, and compared the results with the effect on intraurethral pressure response in anesthetized rats. In obstructed rats, the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists tamsulosin, naftopidil and urapidil and non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine inhibited premicturition contractions in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, yohimbine, an alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, and atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, hardly inhibited them. Tamsulosin and urapidil showed clearly inhibitory effects on increases in intraurethral pressure induced by phenylephrine, an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist, in the same dose range as that at which they inhibited premicturition contractions, whereas naftopidil required somewhat higher doses to inhibit increases in intraurethral pressure than those at which it inhibited premicturition contractions. In conclusion, premicturition contractions observed in obstructed rats were sensitive to alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists, but not to alpha(2)-adrenoceptor or muscarinic receptor antagonists. Tamsulosin was shown to be effective against both premicturition contraction and intraurethral pressure response in the same dose range in rats. These results partly support the fact that tamsulosin has improved storage symptoms as well as voiding symptoms in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with bladder outlet obstruction by blocking alpha(1)-adrenoceptors.     

Binding and functional characterization of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat prostate

The alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes of rat prostate were characterized in binding and functional experiments. In binding experiments, [3H]tamsulosin bound to a single class of binding sites with an affinity (pKD) of 10.79+/-0.04 and Bmax of 87+/-2 fmol mg(-1) protein. This binding was inhibited by prazosin, 2-(2,6-dimethoxy-phenoxyethyl)-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane hydrochloride (WB4101), 5-methylurapidil, alpha-ethyl-3,4,5,-trimethoxy-alpha-(3-((2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethyl)-amin o)-propyl)benzeneacetonitrile fumarate (HV723) and oxymetazoline with high efficacy, resulting in a good correlation with the binding characteristics of cloned alpha1a but not alpha1b and alpha1d-adrenoceptor subtypes. In functional studies, noradrenaline and oxymetazoline produced concentration-dependent contractions. These contractions were antagonized by tamsulosin, prazosin, WB4101 and 5-methylurapidil with an efficacy lower than that exhibited by these agents for inhibition of [3H]tamsulosin binding. The relationship between receptor occupancy and contractile amplitude revealed the presence of receptor reserve for noradrenaline, but the contraction induced by oxymetazoline was not in parallel with receptor occupation and developed after predicted receptor saturation. From these results, it is suggested that alpha1A-adrenoceptors are the dominant subtype in the rat prostate which can be detected with [3H]tamsulosin, but that the functional subtype mediating adrenergic contractions has the characteristics of the alpha1L-adrenoceptor subtype, having a lower affinity for prazosin and some other drugs than the alpha1A-adrenoceptor subtype.     

(-)-Discretamine, a selective alpha 1D-adrenoceptor antagonist, isolated from Fissistigma glaucescens.

1. The selectivity of (-)-discretamine for alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes was investigated by use of functional and binding studies in rat vas deferens, spleen and aorta, and in cultured DDT1MF-2 and A10 cells. 2. In prostatic portions of rat vas deferens, the competitive antagonists (-)-discretamine, 5-methylurapidil (5-MU) and prazosin inhibited contractions to noradrenaline (NA) with pA2 values of 6.21, 8.71 and 9.27, respectively. The irreversible antagonist, chloroethylclonidine (CEC, 100 microM) failed to affect contractions to NA while nifedipine (1 microM) blocked them almost completely. 3. In rat spleen, the competitive antagonists (-)-discretamine, 5-MU and prazosin inhibited contractions to phenylephrine with pA2 values of 6.44, 7.19 and 9.45, respectively. CEC (100 microM) significantly reduced the maximum contraction to phenylephrine while nifedipine (1 microM) did not affect it. 4. In rat aorta, the competitive antagonists (-)-discretamine, 5-MU and prazosin inhibited contractions to NA with pA2 values of 7.60, 8.00 and 9.40, respectively. CEC also antagonized the contractions to NA in a competitive manner with a pA2 value of 6.10. 5. The specific binding of [3H]-prazosin to DDT1MF-2 and A10 cells was concentration-dependent and saturated at 3-5 nM with KD values of 0.24 +/- 0.02 and 0.20 +/- 0.02 nM, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)