The effects of an oral thromboxane TP receptor antagonist BAY u 3405, on prostaglandin D2- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma, and relationship to plasma drug concentrations.

1. The potent bronchoconstrictors prostaglandin (PG) D2, PG F2 alpha and thromboxane A2 are thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of asthma, mediated via the thromboxane (TP) receptor. 2. BAY u 3405 is a new potent selective competitive TP receptor antagonist. 3. The effect of single oral doses of 20 mg and 50 mg BAY u 3405 was examined against histamine and PG D2 bronchial provocation at 90 min after drug ingestion and, for the 20 mg dose alone, at 60 min after ingestion, in randomised, double-blind placebo controlled crossover studies. A time course study was performed with the 20 mg dose. 4. BAY u 3405 protected against PG D2 bronchial provocation. The 20 mg dose increased the amount of PG D2 required to produce a fall of 20% in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s by 6-fold and 16-fold at 60 min and 90 min after ingestion respectively, and the 50 mg dose by 14-fold at 90 min after ingestion. 5. The specificity of the drug was confirmed in vivo in that there was no significant protection against histamine bronchial provocation at either dose or at either time point. 6. The time course study showed significant protection against PG D2 bronchial provocation at 1 h and at 3 h after a single 20 mg oral dose. 7. There was no correlation between subjects in plasma BAY u 3405 concentration and drug effect. Within the subjects performing the time course study there was a strong correlation in time between drug effect and plasma BAY u 3405 concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

BAY u3405, a potent and selective thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist on airway smooth muscle in vitro.

1. BAY u3405 (3(R)-[[(4-fluorophenyl) sulphonyl]amino]-1,2,3,4- tetrahydro-9H-carbazole-9-propanoic acid) has been evaluated on airway smooth muscle, from a number of species including man, for its thromboxane A2 (TXA2) antagonist activity. 2. BAY u3405 was a potent, and competitive, antagonist of the TXA2-mimetic U46619-induced contractions of human, guinea-pig, rat and ferret airway smooth muscle with pA2 values between 8.0 and 8.9 and with no inherent contractile activity (10(-9)-10(-4) M). 3. The TXA2 antagonist activity of BAY u3405 was stereoselective. Its (S)-enantiomer, BAY u3406, was approximately 50 fold less effective against U46619 on guinea-pig and human airway smooth muscle. 4. BAY u3405 also competitively antagonized contractions of guinea-pig airway smooth muscle induced by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) or its metabolite 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2. On human and ferret airway smooth muscle it abolished contractions induced by PGD2, PGF2 alpha and 16,16-dimethyl-PGE2. 5. A high concentration (10(-6) M) of BAY u3405 had no effect on the contraction, or relaxation, of airway smooth muscle induced by a range of other agonists, nor did BAY u3405 have any effect on other prostanoid receptor types (DP, EP2, FP or IP). 6. BAY u3405, in contrast to some other TXA2 antagonists, is a potent and selective antagonist on a wide range of airways including human. This high affinity, and the oral activity of the compound described elsewhere, suggest it may be an appropriate tool to investigate the role of prostanoids in airway diseases such as asthma.     

Effects of a thromboxane receptor antagonist on prostaglandin D2 and histamine induced bronchoconstriction in man.

Many prostanoids including are prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha and PGD2 are potent bronchoconstrictor agents. There is evidence to suggest that airway thromboxane (TP) receptor may act as a common receptor for their bronchoconstrictor actions. We tested the hypothesis that inhaled prostaglandin (PG) D2-induced bronchoconstriction is mediated by interacting with the TP receptor antagonist, ICI 192605, on the bronchoconstrictor response to inhaled PGD2 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled and crossed-over trial in normal subjects. The effect of ICI 192605 on histamine induced bronchoconstriction served as control for non-specific bronchodilatory actions. The study had two phases; the first consisted of two inhaled PGD2 challenge study days, and the second phase was that of inhaled histamine. Each study day was separated by at least a week. On each study day, the challenge tests were carried out 30 min after ingestion of 100 mg ICI 192605 or placebo. Doubling concentrations of agonist were given till more than 35% fall in post-diluent specific airway conductance (sGaw) occurred. The concentration needed to cause a fall in a sGaw of 35% post-diluent value (PC35sGaw) was then determined from linear interpolation of the log dose-response. Eight male subjects (median age 26, range 20-35 years) completed the study. ICI 192605 did not change baseline airway calibre 30 min after ingestion on either PGD2 or histamine study days. ICI 192605 significantly shifted the dose-response curve to inhaled PGD2 to the right by a median of 3.4 fold (Wilcoxon rank sign test, P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ramatroban (BAY u 3405): a novel dual antagonist of TXA2 receptor and CRTh2, a newly identified prostaglandin D2 receptor

It is known that thromboxane A2 (TXA2) contributes to various diseases such as bronchial asthma, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disorders and allergic rhinitis. A number of TXA2 synthase inhibitors and TXA2 receptor (TP receptor) antagonists have been developed to treat these diseases. Ramatroban (BAY u 3405) was developed as a potent TP receptor antagonist with excellent efficacy against allergic rhinitis in many animal models and patients. Recent studies also revealed that ramatroban can block the newly identified PGD2 receptor, chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTh2). PGD2 induces migration and degranulation of eosinophils through CRTh2 and contributes to late-phase inflammation and cell damage. Accordingly, it was considered that ramatroban suppresses the late-phase inflammation via TP receptor and CRTh2 blockade. In terms of the efficacy on vascular systems, it was revealed that ramatroban can suppress the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and prevent exacerbation of inflammation by blocking these responses. According to our recent studies in hypercholesterolemic rabbits ramatroban prevents macrophage infiltration through MCP-1 downregulation and neointimal formation after balloon injury and attenuates vascular response to acetylcholine. Therefore, ramatroban may be beneficial in the treatment of atherosclerosis.     

Binding characteristics of the new thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist [3H]BAY U 3405 to washed human platelets and platelet membranes.

The new thromboxane A2 antagonist [3H]BAY U 3405 was characterized for its binding to washed human platelets and platelet membranes. In washed platelets the specific binding was reversible, selective and stereospecific, but not saturable. The dissociation constant (Kd) was 6 +/- 2.5 nM, the number of specific binding sites 1177 +/- 306 per platelet. Three structurally different thromboxane A2 (TXA2)/prostaglandin H2 (prostaglandin endoperoxide) (PGH2) receptor ligands completely inhibited the specific binding of [3H]BAY U 3405 in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that the observed high affinity binding site is the TXA2/PGH2 receptor. In platelet membranes, however, specific [3H]BAY U 3405 binding showed saturability in addition to reversibility, selectivity, and stereospecifity. The Kd of the binding was 9.6 +/- 2.3 nM in kinetic studies and 8.7 +/- 3.7 nM in saturation studies, the inhibition constant (Ki) was 10 +/- 1.1 nM in displacement studies. The TXA2/PGH2 receptor agonists U 46619 and CTA2, and the antagonists Daltroban (BM 13505), I-PTA-OH and SQ 29548 all completely inhibited the specific binding of [3H]BAY U 3405 thus defining the observed binding site as the TXA2/PGH2 receptor. In conclusion, the data suggest that the previously reported TXA2 antagonism of BAY U 3405 is mediated by binding to a specific high affinity binding site of human platelets and platelet membranes that represents the TXA2/PGH2 receptor.     

Binding of a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist to guinea-pig platelets

The binding of [125I]9,11-dimethylmethano-11,12-methano-16-(3-iodo-4-hydroxypheny l)-13,14- dihydro-13-aza-15 alpha beta-omega-tetranor-TXA2 [( 125I]PTA-OH), a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist, to washed guinea-pig platelets was studied. [125I]PTA-OH bound to guinea-pig platelets in a saturable and displaceable manner. The Kd for [125I]PTA-OH was 14.5 +/- 2 nM (n = 4) and the Bmax was 32 +/- 7 fmol/10(7) platelets or 1,927 +/- 422 binding sites/platelet. The IC50 value for a series of 13-azapinane TXA2 analogs to antagonize the TXA2/PGH2 mimetic U46619-induced platelet aggregation and displace [125I]PTA-OH from its binding site was determined. The IC50 values for the series of five antagonists were highly correlated (r = 0.99) in the binding assays and aggregation studies. The ability of a series of five agonists to displace [125I]PTA-OH from its binding site was compared to their ability to induce platelet aggregation. All the agonists completely displaced the ligand from its binding site but their rank order did not correlate well with their ability to induce aggregation (r = 0.37). Collectively, the data are consistent with the notion that [125I]PTA-OH binds to a putative TXA2/PGH2 receptor in guinea-pig platelets.     

Effect of BAY x7195, an oral receptor antagonist of cysteinyl-leukotrienes,on leukotriene D4-induced bronchoconstriction in normal volunteers

Leukotrienes (LT) have been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. This paper reports the results of two studies investigating the effect of BAY x 7195, a new oral receptor antagonist of cysteinyl-leukotrienes, on LTD₄-induced bronchoconstriction in healthy male volunteers. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, volunteers received 250 mg (n=6; study 1) and 100 and 500 mg (n=6; study 2) of BAY x 7195. Bronchoprovocation with nebulized LTD₄ was performed 2 (250 mg) and 2 and 8 (100 and 500 mg) hp.a. The specific airway's conductance (SGaw) was used to assess the airway's response. Blood samples to determine plasma concentrations of BAY x 7195 were taken at the end of bronchoprovocation. BAY x 7195 showed no effect on baseline lung function. Compared to placebo, the different doses of BAY x 7195 increased the concentration of LTD₄ needed to produce a 35% decrease in SGaw 2h p.a. between 1- and 23-fold. Eight hours p.a., 100 and 500 mg caused shifts in the concentration-response curve of between 1- and 13-fold. There was no predictive relationship between plasma concentrations of BAY x 7195 and the response to LTD₄ challenge. However, there was a relationship between dose and effect. No relevant adverse effects were reported. In conclusion, the present results suggest that BAY x 7195 is an effective LTD₄-receptor antagonist in man.     

Inhibition of bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig by a synthetic B2 receptor antagonist.

1. Intravenous bradykinin (Bk) elicited bronchoconstriction in the anaesthetized ventilated guinea-pig which was not mimicked by the B1 receptor agonist, des-Arg9-Bk. 2. Bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction was inhibited by the B2 receptor antagonist B4881, but not by the B1 receptor antagonist des-Arg9-Leu8-Bk. The effect of B4881 was short-lived. 3. The B2 receptor antagonist as B4881 was selective for bradykinin as B4881 did not significantly inhibit bronchoconstriction induced by i.v. bombesin, platelet activating factor, acetylcholine, histamine or vagal stimulation. 4. These results suggest that bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig is via activation of a B2 receptor population and that B4881 is a selective B2 antagonist that may be useful for investigating the involvement of bradykinin in the lung.     

Interference of the Paf antagonist Ro 19-3704 with Paf and antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig.

1. In vitro, Ro 19-3704, a structurally related antagonist of platelet-activating factor (Paf) inhibited selectively rabbit platelet aggregation. In vivo, administered intravenously, it inhibited bronchoconstriction, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and the accompanying accumulation of platelet aggregates in guinea-pig lung microvessels induced by i.v. Paf. Administered by aerosol, Ro 19-3704 failed to inhibit bronchoconstriction, thrombocytopenia or leukopenia due to i.v. Paf. 2. Bronchoconstriction induced by Paf, in aerosol form, was blocked by Ro 19-3704 administered by the i.v. or aerosol route, which suggests that it interacts with pulmonary cells responsible for bronchoconstriction. 3. Ro 19-3704 has free radical scavenging properties, since it inhibited the production of superoxide anions by macrophages stimulated by Paf and by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). Ro 18-7715, another Paf antagonist and analogue of Ro 19-3704, failed to inhibit the production of superoxide anions by macrophages stimulated by FMLP at concentrations which were effective against Paf. 4. Administered intravenously, Ro 19-3704 failed to block bronchoconstriction induced by an i.v. injection of ovalbumin to guinea-pigs passively sensitized with anti-ovalbumin antiserum. Passive pulmonary anaphylaxis due to an aerosol of ovalbumin was blocked by i.v. Ro 19-3704.     

Studies in the guinea-pig with ICI 185,282: a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist

The effects of ICI 185,282 (5(Z)-7-([ 2,4,5-cis]-4-O-hydroxyphenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-1, 3-dioxan-5-yl)heptenoic acid) have been studied on guinea-pig platelets and pulmonary smooth muscle in-vitro and in-vivo. When tested on guinea-pig lung parenchyma in-vitro. ICI 185,282 (1 x 10(-7) M) produced a significant shift in U-46619 response curves (concentration ratio of 13:3); the antagonist (1 x 10(-5) M) did not modify histamine responses. When tested on guinea-pig trachea in-vitro ICI 185,282 (1 x 10(-7) M) caused significant inhibition of U-46619 and PGD2 responses (concentration ratios of 8.3 and 14.1, respectively); the antagonist (1 x 10(-5) M proved less effective against contractions of PGF2 alpha, LTD4 and histamine (concentration ratios of 7.0, 1.5 and 1.6). When added to guinea-pig platelet rich plasma in-vitro, ICI 185,282 (x 10(-6), 1 x 10(-5) M) caused concentration-dependent parallel shifts to the right of U-46619 aggregation curves, yielding concentration ratios of 13.6 and 141.9, respectively. In-vitro, addition of ICI 185,282 (x 10(-5) M) to indomethacin-treated pulmonary smooth muscle did not modify resting tone, neither did it induce aggregation or swelling in platelet-rich plasma preparations. When administered orally to guinea-pigs ICI 185,282 (0.1, 0.5 mg kg-1) caused a significant inhibition of U-46619-induced platelet aggregation ex-vivo which persisted greater than or equal to 8 h. In-vivo, a single oral dose of ICI 185,282 (1 mg kg-1) inhibited bronchospasm induced by U-46619, PGD2, PGF2 alpha, arachidonic acid, LTD4 and PAF; responses to histamine were unaffected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Leukotriene D4- and prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced airflow obstruction and airway plasma exudation in guinea-pig: role of thromboxane and its receptor.

1. We studied the effects of a thromboxane A2 receptor (TP receptor) antagonist, ICI-192,605 (0.5 mg kg-1, i.v.) and a selective thromboxane (Tx) synthetase inhibitor, OKY-046 (30 mg kg-1, i.v.), on airway responses induced by leukotriene D4 (LTD4; 0.2 nmol) or prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha; 20 nmol) instilled via the airways route to anaesthetized guinea-pigs. For a comparison, airway responses to a TxA2-mimetic, U-46619 (0.02 nmol) were also studied. We measured both lung resistance (RL) to monitor airflow obstruction, and extravasation of Evans Blue dye to quantify airway plasma exudation. 2. Instilled LTD4 into the tracheal lumen induced an immediate peak and subsequently persistent increase in RL and produced a large amount of extravasation of Evans Blue dye at all airway levels. Both ICI-192,605 and OKY-046 significantly attenuated the persistent increase in RL following the immediate response and reduced LTD4-induced extravasation of Evans Blue dye in the trachea and proximal intrapulmonary airway. Instilled LTD4 produced significant increases in immunoreactive TxB2 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained 1.5 min after instillation of LTD4. 3. Instilled PGF2 alpha into the tracheal lumen induced an immediate increase in RL which peaked at approximately 15 s. We also observed a delayed sustained increase in RL, reaching a second peak at approximately 4 min. PGF2 alpha produced small but significant increases in the amount of Evans Blue dye at all airway levels. As with PGF2 alpha, instillation of U-46619 produced a biphasic increase in RL and extravasation of Evans Blue dye.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Inhibitory effects of BAY u3405 on prostanoid-induced contractions in human isolated bronchial and pulmonary arterial muscle preparations.

1. The thromboxane-mimetic, U46619, was a more potent contractile agonist than prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), PGF2 alpha or histamine in human isolated bronchial and pulmonary arterial muscle preparations. 2. Human isolated proximal bronchial muscles were less sensitive to contractile agents than distal bronchial preparations. However, the former tissues developed a greater contractile force (Emax) when compared with results obtained in the latter tissues. 3. BAY u3405 attenuated the contractions induced by U46619, PGF2 alpha and PGD2 in both human isolated bronchial and pulmonary arterial muscle preparations. 4. BAY u3405 did not alter histamine concentration-effect curves nor the relaxation induced by Butaprost (TR4979) in human isolated bronchial muscle preparations. In addition BAY u3405 did not modify the relaxation induced by PGI2 in isolated pulmonary arterial muscle preparations. 5. The contractions induced by different prostaglandins were blocked by BAY u3405, suggesting a common functional site for these agents found both on human bronchial and pulmonary arterial muscles.     

Binding of an 125I-labeled thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist to washed canine platelets

A binding site for the thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) antagonist 125I-PTA-OH (9,11-dimethylmethano-11,12-methano-16-(4-methoxyphenyl)-13,14-dih ydro-13-aza-1 5 alpha beta-w-tetranor-TXA2) to washed canine platelets is described. 127I-PTA-OH competitively antagonized aggregation induced by the TXA2/PGH2 mimetic U46619. A Schild analysis of the pharmacologic study revealed pA2 of 7.97 and a slope of -0.95. The pA2 value yielded a Kd of 11 nM. Specific binding in Tris-NaCl buffer (pH 7.4) is not affected by extracellular Ca2+ or Mg2+ in concentrations up to 750 microM. The pH optimum for binding resides between 7.0 and 7.4. The association rate constant, k1, was 4.5 X 10(6) M-1 min-1, and the dissociation rate constant, k-1, was 1.45 X 10(-1) min-1, yielding a kinetically determined Kd (k-1/k1) of 32 nM. Scatchard analysis of I-PTA-OH binding to washed canine platelets revealed two classes of binding sites, a high affinity site (Kd = 24 nM, Bmax = 71 fmol/10(7) platelets) (4400 binding sites/platelet) and a low affinity site (Kd = 2.1 microM). Several TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonists competed with specific 125I-PTA-OH binding, and the rank order of potency for displacing the ligand correlated (r = 0.97) with the rank order of potency for their ability to inhibit U46619-induced aggregation in canine platelet-rich plasma. Prostaglandins F2 alpha and E2 also displaced the ligand, but only at much higher concentrations. Binding of I-PTA-OH or the TXA2/PGH2 mimetic U46619 was unaffected by the aggregating agents epinephrine (10 microM) or ADP (5 microM). The similarity in the Kd values obtained kinetically, by equilibrium binding studies for the high affinity site and by Schild analysis, suggests that this high affinity site mediates TXA2/PGH2 induced platelet aggregation. In addition, the close correlation between the abilities of the antagonists to displace the ligand and to inhibit U46619-induced aggregation suggests that this site may represent a TXA2/PGH2 receptor.     

Effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and thromboxane release in guinea-pig lung.

1. Exogenous vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) infused into the pulmonary artery of isolated and ventilated lungs of guinea-pigs decreased, in a dose-dependent fashion (1.0-10.0 nmol), airway resistance and thromboxane B2 (TXB2, the stable hydrolysis product of TXA2) release in the perfusion medium. Prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis, as reflected by the release of its stable hydrolysis product 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, was unaffected. Pretreatment with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor BWA4c (3.5 x 10(-5) M) did not modify the bronchodilatory effect of VIP or its inhibitory action on TXB2 release. 2. Basal release of immunoreactive VIP from perfused lungs decreased from an initial value of 0.96 +/- 0.10 ng min-1 (mean +/- s.e.mean) in the first 2 min to an average of 0.58 +/- 0.10 ng min-1 in the following 15-20 min. 3. Antigen challenge with ovalbumin (0.1%) in sensitized lungs caused an anaphylactic reaction in 45% of tested lungs, concomitant with a 5 fold increase in both VIP and TXB2 release. Tetrodotoxin pretreatment (10(-6) M) reduced basal VIP release by > 80% and abolished the VIP increase observed during anaphylaxis, without modifying TXB2 release or the bronchoconstrictor response. 4. Indomethacin (10(-6) M) inhibited TXB2 synthesis and release by > 90%, delayed the bronchoconstrictor response and blunted the increased VIP release during lung anaphylaxis, without influencing basal VIP release. 5. The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor BWA4c (3.5 x 10(-5) M) blunted the increase of TXB2 and VIP release from guinea-pig lung and attenuated the bronchoconstrictor response following ovalbumin challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist activity of CV-4151, a thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor

The thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide (TXA2/PGH2) receptor antagonist activity of CV-4151, a potent TXA2 synthetase inhibitor, was examined. CV-4151 inhibited guinea pig and human platelet aggregation induced by U-44069 with IC50 values of 1.2 +/- 0.3 X 10(-5) and 1.9 +/- 0.4 X 10(-5) M, respectively, and inhibited the specific binding of [3H]U-46619 to washed guinea pig and human platelets with IC50 values of 1.2 +/- 0.3 X 10(-6) and 5.1 +/- 1.0 X 10(-6) M, respectively. CV-4151 competitively inhibited the contraction of rabbit aortic strips induced by U-44069 with a pA2 value of 5.90. In experiments in mice in vivo, CV-4151 (1 and 10 mg/kg i.v.) significantly inhibited the thrombocytopenia induced by U-44069 in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that CV-4151 has a distinct TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist effect, and that this effect together with its inhibition of TXA2 synthetase could be important for the pharmacological action of this compound.     

Photoaffinity receptor antagonist for human platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptors

9,11-Dimethylmethano -11,12-methano-16-(3-azido-4-iodophenoxy)-13,14- dihydro-13-aza-15 alpha beta-omega-tetranor TXA2 (I-PTA-PON3) was synthesized and evaluated as a potential photoaffinity probe of the human platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) receptor. I-PTA-PON3 inhibited the aggregation of washed human platelets induced by the TXA2 mimetic U46619 [(15S)-hydroxy-11 alpha, 9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5Z,13E-dienoic acid]. Schild analysis of the data revealed a Kd of 9.5 nM and a slope not significantly different from -1. Equilibrium binding studies using [125I]PTA-OH, a TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist, showed that I-PTA-PON3 plus photolysis resulted in a 52% reduction in the number of binding sites (1252 +/- 202/platelet) compared to the nonphotolyzed group (2557 +/- 293/platelet) (N = 5, P less than 0.05) with no significant change in the Kd. Repetition of the incubation with I-PTA-PON3 and photolysis a second time resulted in a further 77% (578 +/- 163 binding sites/platelet) reduction in the number of binding sites. Incubation of washed human platelets with I-PTA-PON3 (163 nM) followed by photolysis and removal of the non-covalently bound I-PTA-PON3 resulted in no change in the EC50 value for the TXA2 mimetic, U46619, when compared to controls that were either exposed to I-PTA-PON3 and not photolyzed or exposed only to photolysis. The second photolysis of I-PTA-PON3 resulted in a significant 42% increase in the EC50 value of U46619-induced aggregation compared to the non-photolyzed group (N = 4, P less than 0.05). These results suggest that I-PTA-PON3 is a useful probe for the study of TXA2/PGH2 receptors and that spare TXA2/PGH2 receptors may exist in the platelet.     

Prostaglandin D2 interacts at thromboxane receptor-sites on guinea-pig platelets.

The anti-aggregatory prostanoid, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) does not completely inhibit ADP-induced aggregation of guinea-pig platelets and thus produces a bell-shaped dose-inhibition curve. The nature of this bell-shaped curve has now been investigated in guinea-pig platelet-rich plasma. Two selective thromboxane receptor antagonists, 13-aza-prostanoic acid (13-AZA; 16-64.4 microM) and BM 13.177 (5.9-29.8 microM), converted PGD2 to a full inhibitor of aggregation in a dose-related manner. The putative platelet PGD2 receptor antagonist, N-0164 (75 microM) also converted PGD2 to a full inhibitor of platelet aggregation. In contrast to 13-AZA and BM 13.177, higher concentrations of N-0164 (380 and 760 microM) caused a dose-related rightward shift of the PGD2 dose-inhibition curve. The thromboxane receptor antagonism of N-0164 was confirmed in studies in which the dose-aggregation curve to U-46619, a thromboxane mimetic, was competitively antagonized with a pA2 value of 4.67 and a slope of 1.13, comparable to that of 13-AZA. The results show that N-0164 acts as both a platelet PGD2 and thromboxane-receptor antagonist in both human and guinea-pig platelet-rich plasma. The results further indicate that PGD2 can interact at thromboxane receptors in guinea-pig platelets.     

The effect of MK-0524, a prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonist, on prostaglandin D2-induced nasal airway obstruction in healthy volunteers

Introduction Nasal congestion in allergic rhinitis results from tissue edema and vasodilatation in the nasal mucosa. Of the mediators released by mast cells in response to allergens, prostaglandin (PG) D₂ is regarded as the most potent inducer of nasal congestion. Intranasal administration of PGD₂ reproduces the nasal blockade experienced by patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) via its action on the PGD₂ (DP) receptor to induce nasal vasodilatation. Intranasal challenge with PGD₂ can be a useful tool for evaluating DP-receptor antagonists. Objective The main purpose of this study was to examine the ability of MK-0524, a DP receptor antagonist in development for the treatment of SAR, to block PGD₂ induced nasal congestion in healthy volunteers. Methods To this end, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, 3-period study was performed in 15 healthy subjects. During each period, subjects received MK-0524 25 mg, MK-0524 100 mg or placebo qd for 3 days. Twenty-four hours following the last dose, nasal provocations with PGD₂ were performed to determine the PD₇₅, which is the intranasal dose of PGD₂ that provokes a 75% increase in baseline total nasal airway resistance as performed by active anterior rhinomanometry. Results Following treatment with MK-0524, the PD₇₅ (mean±SD) was significantly shifted from 15.8 ± 18.3 μg/nostril during the placebo period to more than 512 μg/nostril both following the 25- and 100-mg (maximum challenge dose tested) dose regimen. Conclusion Whether this >45 fold increase in PD₇₅ will induce a clinically meaningful effect of MK-0524 will require clinical study in participants with SAR.     

Leukotrienes C and D induce aspirin-sensitive bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig

Branchoconstriction in the guinea-pig due to leukotrienes C4 and D4 in vivo and in vitro was suppressed by aspirin. Since contracting effects of putative mediators of bronchial asthma should be refractory to inhibition of cyclooxygenase, our results indicate that release of leukotrienes in the guinea-pig does not alone account for anaphylactic bronchoconstriction.     

Effects of ONO-3708, an antagonist of the thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor, on blood vessels

The pharmacological properties of a novel thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist, ONO-3708, on blood vessels were examined in vitro and in vivo. ONO-3708, 10 microM, inhibited the rabbit aorta contractions induced by thromboxane A2, prostaglandin H2, 11,9-epoxymethano-prostaglandin H2 (U-46619) or prostaglandin F2 alpha without affecting the contractions induced by angiotensin II, serotonin or norepinephrine. ONO-3708, at a concentration of 1 to 100 nM, appeared to be a competitive inhibitor of the contractile responses of the canine basilar artery to 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2), U-46619 and PGF2 alpha, and a non-competitive inhibitor of the contractile responses to 15-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE). In in vivo studies, ONO-3708 (10 and 100 micrograms/kg per min i.v.) ameliorated the decrease in diameter of the basilar artery induced by the i.v. infusion of STA2 (0.1 microgram/kg per min) in cats. Furthermore, infusion of ONO-3708 (10 and 30 micrograms/kg per min i.v.) prevented the cerebral vasospasm in an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model in dogs. These results indicate that ONO-3708 is a potent antagonist of the thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor in vitro and in vivo and may be of therapeutic use in preventing cerebral vasospasm.