5-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone analogues of oxotremorine as selective muscarinic agonists

A series of N-(4-amino-2-butynyl)-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidones modified only in the amino group was synthesized. The compounds were agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists on the isolated guinea pig ileum. They had greater affinity and lower intrinsic efficacy at ileal muscarinic receptors than the identically modified N-(4-amino-2-butynyl)-2-pyrrolidones and N-(4-amino-2-butynyl)succinimides. Dissociation constants in the three series were correlated, suggesting that the compounds had similar mode of binding to muscarinic receptors. The 5-methyl-2-pyrrolidones were 10- to 20-fold less potent as muscarinic agonists on the guinea pig urinary bladder than on the ileum and also elicited lower relative maximal responses on the bladder. For example, the trimethylammonium (9) and azetidino (10) analogues were equipotent (EC50 = 0.2 microM) with the selective muscarinic stimulant N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)-N-methylacetamide, BM 5 (2), as agonists on the ileum, but on the bladder 9 and 10 were relatively weak partial agonists, whereas 2 was an antagonist. Compound 10, like 2 and the dimethylamino analogue 8, also differentiated between centrally mediated muscarinic effects in vivo as it was potent in producing analgesia and hypothermia but did not elicit tremor. Instead, 10 antagonized oxotremorine-induced tremor. Thus, 10 resembled 2 in its actions except that the greater intrinsic efficacy of 10 shifted the balance between agonist and antagonist properties slightly toward agonism. Manipulation of intrinsic efficacy by minor changes in chemical structure is emphasized as a means of attaining selectivity.     

Selectivity of partial agonists related to oxotremorine based on differences in muscarinic receptor reserve between the guinea pig ileum and urinary bladder

The muscarinic effects of analogs of oxotremorine were compared on strips of the guinea pig ileum and urinary bladder. In a series of eight analogs, full or nearly full contractile responses compared to carbachol were observed on the ileum. On the bladder, the analogs were full agonists, partial agonists, or competitive antagonists. Although EC50 values estimated on the bladder were 10- to 20-fold greater than those obtained on the ileum, the dissociation constant and relative efficacy of each agonist were similar in the two tissues, as were dissociation constants of competitive antagonists including pirenzepine. The ability to discriminate between responses in the ileum and bladder was related to intrinsic efficacy. Highly efficacious compounds such as carbachol and oxotremorine-M were full agonists in both tissues, although less potent on the bladder. Compounds having intermediate intrinsic efficacy, e.g., oxotremorine, were partial agonists on the bladder, whereas BM 5, having low intrinsic efficacy, was a competitive antagonist. These results suggest a mechanism, based on tissue differences in receptor reserve, by which selectivity may be achieved among muscarinic stimulants, even in the absence of distinct subtypes of muscarinic receptors.     

Urea and 2-imidazolidone derivatives of the muscarinic agents oxotremorine and N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide.

Some urea and 2-imidazolidone analogues of the muscarinic agents oxotremorine (1) and N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide [10; BM-5] have been synthesized and assayed for muscarinic and antimuscarinic activity on the isolated guinea pig ileum. The new compounds (15-24) were found to be muscarinic agonists, partial agonists, or antagonists. The compounds were also tested for in vitro receptor binding to homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex using the muscarinic antagonist [3H]-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) as the ligand. They were found to be less potent than 1 in this assay. On the guinea pig ileum, the N-3-methyl substituted imidazolidone analogue 20 was the most potent agonist of the new compounds studied; 20 was 5-fold more potent in inducing contractions of the ileum and had 4-fold higher affinity for ileal muscarinic receptors than the 3-methyl substituted 2-pyrrolidone 6. However, the N-3-unsubstituted urea and imidazolidone derivatives 15 and 19 were several-fold less potent than the parent acetamide N-methyl-N-(4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide [9; UH-5] and 1, respectively. The urea analogue (16) of the partial muscarinic agonist 10 was devoid of intrinsic activity and displayed 3-fold lower affinity than 10 for ileal muscarinic receptors.     

Muscarinic activity of McN-A-343 and its value in muscarinic receptor classification

The affinity and potency of McN-A-343 (4-(m-chlorophenyl-carbamoyloxy) -2-butynyltrimethylammonium chloride) has been assessed at a range of M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors. McN-A-343 was shown to act as a full agonist at M2 receptors present in the guinea-pig isolated taenia caeci (-log EC50 = 5.14). McN-A-343 exhibited no agonist action in the guinea-pig ileum, atria, bladder or trachea. McN-A-343 was not selective in terms of affinity since its dissociation constants at M1 and M2 binding sites in the rat cerebral cortex and myocardium respectively, were very similar (cortical pPKi = 5.05; myocardial pKi = 5.22). The selectivity previously reported for the compound may be due to differences in intrinsic efficacy and/or tissue receptor reserve. Based on differential antagonist affinities, the muscarinic receptor profile of the taenia caeci, trachea and bladder was similar to that observed in the ileum, but dissimiliar to that observed in the atria.     

Muscarinic activity in the isolated guinea pig ileum of some carboxamides related to oxotremorine

A series of structural analogues of the potent oxotremorine-like agent N-(4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)-N-methyl-acetamide (1) was investigated for muscarinic activity in the isolated guinea pig ileum. Substitution of larger alkyl groups for the acetyl methyl group of 1 results in an attenuation of muscarinic potency. The observation that the agonist N-(4-dimethylamino-2-butynyl)-N-methylpropionamide (6) has a dissociation constant (K_A = 5.1 × 10^?5 M), estimated after elimination of spare receptors with dibenamine, similar to that of the antagonist N-(4-dimethylamino-2-butynyl)-N-methyl-2,2-dimethylpropionamide (11) suggests that the decrease in muscarinic agonist activity with increasing substitution is due mainly to a loss of efficacy. The N-methyl group of 1 is essential for muscarinic activity since its replacement by a hydrogen atom or an ethyl group yields antagonists.     

Muscarinic receptor occupation and receptor activation in the guinea-pig ileum by some acetamides related to oxotremorine.

The dissociation constants (KD values) and relative efficacies of seven acetamide analogues of oxotremorine, including two enantiomeric pairs, at muscarinic receptors in the guinea-pig isolated ileum were determined. The method used involved analysis of dose-response data before and after fractional inactivation of receptors with propylbenzilylcholine mustard. All of the compounds studied had lower affinities than oxotremorine, but some had substantially higher relative efficacies. Replacement of the pyrrolidine ring of N-methyl-N-(4- pyrrolidino -2- butynyl )acetamide(I), the parent compound in the series, by a dimethylamino or a trimethylammonium group decreased the affinity 32 and 4.5 fold, respectively, whereas the relative efficacy increased 5.7-8.3 times. There was no correlation between relative efficacies and affinities of the compounds. The structural requirements for high affinity and high efficacy appeared to be quite different.     

A pharmacological study of NK1 and NK2 tachykinin receptor characteristics in the rat isolated urinary bladder.

1. We have estimated potencies of tachykinin receptor agonist and antagonist analogues in order to determine the recognition characteristics of tachykinin receptors mediating phasic contractile responses of the rat isolated urinary bladder in vitro. 2. The NK1-selective synthetic agonists, substance P methyl ester and GR73632, the synthetic NK2-selective agonists [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10) and GR64349, and the mammalian tachykinins, neurokinin A and neurokinin B, were assayed relative to substance P and were found to be approximately equipotent. The NK3-selective agonist, senktide, was inactive (10 microM). 3. Potencies of all these agonists were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when experiments were carried out in the presence of the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, phosphoramidon, and the kininase II inhibitor, enalaprilat (both 1 microM). 4. The NK1-selective antagonist, GR82334, inhibited responses to substance P methyl ester in a competitive manner in the rat urinary bladder and the rat ileum, and also in the guinea-pig ileum. Markedly different pKB estimates were obtained in the rat bladder (6.38) and rat ileum (6.56) compared to the guinea-pig ileum (7.42). GR82334 (3 microM) was inactive against responses of the rat bladder to [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10). 5. The NK1-selective antagonist (+/-)-CP-96,345 also inhibited responses of the rat bladder and guinea-pig ileum to substance P methyl ester; however, in the rat bladder at 1 microM, this antagonist reversibly inhibited responses both to the NK2-selective agonist [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10) and to the muscarinic agonist carbachol (P < or = 0.01), thus showing evidence of some non-selective depressant actions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Derivatives of the muscarinic agent N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide

A series of tertiary and quaternary analogues (acyclic imides, sulfonimides, N-acetyl sulfonamides, and trifluoroacetamides) of the selective partial muscarinic agonist N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide (BM 5,35) was synthesized. The compounds were found to be muscarinic agonists, partial agonists, or antagonists in the isolated guinea pig ileum. Replacement of the acetyl group or the N-methyl group of 35 and its analogues by a methanesulfonyl group abolished efficacy and decreased affinity at ileal muscarinic receptors. Trifluoroacetamide analogues of 35 also had lower affinity and efficacy than 35. Substitution of an acetyl group for the N-methyl group in compounds related to 35 decreased efficacy, but had no appreciable effect on affinity. Most of the tertiary amines showed central antimuscarinic activity as they antagonized oxotremorine-induced tremors in mice.     

Interaction of muscarinic drugs with their receptor

Interaction of muscarinic drugs with their receptor was studied in the logitudinal muscle of guinea pig ileum. The pD2-value, the index for agonistic activity of a partial agonist was practically equal to its pA2-value, the index for competitive antagonistic activity and to its pKA-value which was a negative logarithm of a dissociation constant (KA), suggesting that the muscarinic drugs such as full and partial agonists and a competitive antagonist interacted with one binding site in the muscarinic receptor. Effects of a GTP-analogue, Gpp(NH)p (guanyl-5'-y limidodiphosphate) decreased affinities of full and partial agonists to the muscarinic receptor in a manner that was correlated with their efficacies. A relationship between the Hill's coefficients of the muscarinic drugs and their efficacies suggest that the ability to distinguish the agonist binding sites was related to their efficacy.     

Conformationally restricted analogues of the muscarinic agent N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide

Conformationally restricted analogues of the selective partial muscarinic agonist N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide (BM 5; 2) were synthesized. The compounds were tested for muscarinic and antimuscarinic activity in the isolated guinea pig ileum and in intact mice. They were found to be moderately potent muscarinic antagonists or weak partial agonists. The new compounds were less potent than 2 in inhibiting (-)-[3H]-N-methylscopolamine binding in the rate cerebral cortex. Thus, structural modifications of 2 in which part of the amide moiety has been connected with the methyl group in the butynyl chain to form a five-membered ring decrease affinity and in most cases abolish efficacy.     

Distribution of dissociation constant values of muscarinic agonists

The frequency distributions of dissociation constant values of some muscarinic agonists (carbachol, muscarone and cis-2-methyl-5-trimethylammoniummethyl-1,3-oxathiolane) obtained on guinea-pig ileum and atria and rat urinary bladder have been examined to see if the means of the dissociation constant values and the statistical tests for their significance, should be based on geometric rather than on arithmetic means. For the three compounds the distributions on a logarithmic scale did not significantly deviate from normality while the distributions on an arithmetic scale tended to deviate from normality.     

Estimation of relative microscopic affinity constants of agonists for the active state of the receptor in functional studies on M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors

In prior work, we have shown that it is possible to estimate the product of observed affinity and intrinsic efficacy of an agonist expressed relative to that of a standard agonist simply through the analysis of their respective concentration-response curves. In this report, we show analytically and through mathematical modeling that this product, termed intrinsic relative activity (RA(i)), is equivalent to the ratio of microscopic affinity constants of the agonists for the active state of the receptor. We also compared the RA(i) estimates of selected muscarinic agonists with a relative estimate of the product of observed affinity and intrinsic efficacy determined independently through the method of partial receptor inactivation. There was good agreement between these two estimates when agonist-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation was measured in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing the human M(2) muscarinic receptor. Likewise, there was good agreement between the two estimates when agonist activity was measured on the ileum from M(2) muscarinic receptor knockout mice, a convenient assay for M(3) receptor activity. The RA(i) estimates of agonists in the mouse ileum were similar to those estimated at the human M(3) receptor with the exception of 4-(m-chlorophenyl-carbamoyloxy)-2-butynyltrimethylammonium (McN-A-343), which is known to be an M(1)- and M(4)-selective muscarinic agonist. Additional experiments showed that the response to McN-A-343 in the mouse ileum included a non-M(3) muscarinic receptor component. Our results show that the RA(i) estimate is a useful receptor-dependent measure of agonist activity and ligand-directed signaling.     

Dimethylsulfonium and thiolanium analogues of the muscarinic agent oxotremorine

Dimethylsulfonium (6a and 6b) and thiolanium analogues (7a and 7b) of oxotremorine were synthesized and found to be potent muscarinic agents in vivo and vitro. Compound 6a exceeded oxotremorine in potency. Their affinities for muscarinic receptors in the guinea pig ileum and urinary bladder, estimated pharmacologically, were higher than those of the corresponding trimethylammonium (8a and 8b) and N-methylpyrrolidinium compounds (9a and 9b). However, the new compounds had lower intrinsic efficacies than their quaternary ammonium analogues. The compounds also had high affinity for central muscarinic receptors as measured by displacement of specifically bound (-)-[3H]-N-methylscopolamine from homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex. Half-maximal occupation of cortical muscarinic receptors by 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b was achieved at concentrations of 0.8, 5.4, 0.3, and 3.3 microM, respectively. The competition curves of 6a, 6b, and 7a were adequately described by a two-site binding equation. The ratio of low- and high-affinity dissociation constants agreed with relative efficacy estimated on the ileum. The thiolanium salt 7a was a fairly potent nicotinic agent on the frog rectus abdominis.     

Beta-lactam analogues of oxotremorine. 3- and 4-methyl-substituted 2-azetidinones

Four beta-lactam analogues (8-11) of oxotremorine were synthesized and assayed for muscarinic and antimuscarinic activity on the isolated guinea pig ileum. The pharmacological results were compared with those obtained previously with the beta-lactam analogue 7 and the 3-, 4-, and 5-methyl-substituted 2-pyrrolidones 2-6. The new compounds were less potent than the corresponding 2-pyrrolidones, regardless of whether they showed agonist (10 and 11), partial agonist (8), or antagonist properties (9) in the ileum assay. The agonists 10 and 11 were about 200-fold less potent than 7. Compounds 8-11 also were less potent than the similarly substituted 2-pyrrolidones in inhibiting the binding of the muscarinic antagonist (-)-[3H]-N-methylscopolamine in homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex.     

Quest for agonist and antagonist selectivity at muscarinic receptors in guinea-pig smooth muscles and cardiac atria

Summary Potencies of 11 muscarinic agonists in eliciting contraction of smooth muscle in guinea-pig ileum, trachea, urinary bladder and uterus and in inhibiting the rate of contractions of cardiac atria were compared. While acetylcholine (ACh) was the most potent agonist on the ileum, uterus and cardiac atria, cis-l(+)-dioxolane was equally as potent as ACh on the ileum and more potent on the urinary bladder and trachea. Compared to ACh, methylfurmethide, oxotremorine, acetoxybut-2-inyl-trimethylammonium and cis-l(+)-dioxolane acted weakly on the atria. Aceclidine, arecoline and acetyl--methylcholine displayed selectivity for the urinary bladder and pilocarpine for the tracheal and urinary bladder smooth muscles. Oxotremorine had very low activity on the uterus. The stereoselectivity of muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs) for cis-l(+)- and cis-d(–)-dioxolane was low in the urinary bladder and uterus and high in the ileum and trachea.Most antagonists showed little selectivity between different organs, but S(–)-phenylcyclohexylglycoloyl choline was 6 times more active on the urinary bladder than on the ileum and AF-DX 116 was 12–30 times more active on the atria than on the smooth muscles. Among the N-alkyl derivatives of benzilylcholine, the octyl derivative was 400 times more active on the ileum than on the atria, while among the N-alkyl derivatives of QNB, the N-decyl derivative was 41 times more active on the ileum.The observed differences in the potency of various agonists and their stereoisomers on different smooth muscles cannot be explained by differences in the accessibility of receptors or in receptor reserve. It is suggested that they reflect the heterogeneity of muscarinic receptors in different smooth muscles and differences between smooth muscles regarding the preferential coupling of their mAChRs to different G proteins. The observed selectivity of S(–)-phenylcyclohexylglycoloyl choline suggests a difference between the mAChRs responsible for the contraction of ileal and urinary bladder smooth muscles.     

Alkylating partial muscarinic agonists related to oxotremorine. N-[4-[(2-haloethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidones

N-[4-[(2-Chloroethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (3) and N-[4-[(2-bromoethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-5-methyl-2- pyrrolidone (4) were synthesized. Compounds 3 and 4 cyclized in neutral aqueous solution to an aziridinium ion (4A). The rate constants for the cyclization of 3 and 4 at 37 degrees C were 0.025 and 0.89 min-1, respectively. The aziridinium ion was equipotent with carbachol as a muscarinic agonist on the isolated guinea pig ileum. It was more potent than the corresponding 2-pyrrolidone derivative (2A) in alkylating muscarinic receptors in homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex. This higher potency was due to greater receptor affinity of 4A as compared to 2A rather than to greater rate constant for alkylation of muscarinic receptors. These properties of 3 and 4 and their low toxicity should make them valuable tools for receptor inactivation studies in vivo and in vitro.     

COMPARISON OF THE AFFINITY OF SECOVERINE FOR SOME MUSCARINIC RECEPTORS

The selective muscarinic receptor antagonist secoverine was found to have a similar affinity for muscarinic receptors in the guinea-pig left atrium and ileal longitudinal muscle as well as in the rat urinary bladder and ileum.     

Pharmacological characterisation of the enantiomers of BM-5, a muscarinic partial agonist with opposed enantioselectivity between affinity and efficacy

The interaction of (R) and (S) enantiomers of the chiral oxotremorine analogue BM-5 with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors was studied in vitro using radioligand binding and isolated tissue preparations. The in vivo effects of (R)-BM-5 were also studied in anaesthetised cat. No receptor or tissue selectivity was found for either enantiomer in radioligand binding studies in cells expressing human muscarinic receptors (M1-M5) or in guinea pig tissues. The affinity of (R)-BM-5 was about 40 times, or 15-60 times higher than that of (S)-BM-5 in recombinant cells or in guinea pig tissues, respectively. Both enantiomers induced contraction of the guinea pig isolated urinary bladder and ileum. (R)-BM-5 was more potent than (S)-BM-5 in bladder (EC50 590 and 3500 nM, respectively) and in ileum (EC50 39 and 2600 nM, respectively). The maximal agonist effect was lower for (R)-BM-5 than for (S)-BM-5 in bladder (2.7% and 6.6%, respectively) and in ileum (32% and 48%, respectively). Contractions were completely inhibited by atropine (1 microM). In vivo, (R)-BM-5 induced bladder contraction and salivation after intravenous administration in the anaesthetised cat (ED50 4.1 and 6.2 microg kg(-1), respectively). In conclusion, (R)- and (S)-BM-5 act as partial muscarinic agonists in the isolated bladder and ileum. (R)-BM-5 was the more potent enantiomer but had a lower maximal agonist effect giving an opposed enantioselectivity for affinity and efficacy. (R)-BM-5 showed agonist activity in vivo, confirming in vitro findings. From affinity and efficacy data it can be concluded that the effects of racemic BM-5 are mediated by the (R)-enantiomer.     

Determination of dissociation constants and relative efficacies of some potent muscarinic agonists at postjunctional muscarinic receptors

Summary This study was undertaken to determine dissociation constants (K _A) and relative efficacies (e _r) of seven muscarinic agonists (methylfurtrethonium; dioxolane, oxathiolane, carbachol, muscarine, muscarone and oxotremorine) in three isolated tissues (guinea-pig ileum and atria and rat urinary bladder).The rank order of affinities (-log K _A) of the various compounds varied depending on the tissue used. e _r values for the different agonists did not differ significantly from each other in any of the three tissues, except that the e _r of muscarine in the guinea-pig ileum was higher than those of the other compounds and that of oxotremorine in the rat urinary bladder was lower than those of the other agonists.Comparisons among tissues show that K _A and e _r values were the same in different tissues for some compounds (muscarone, muscarine and methylfurtrethonium), while significant differences were found for the other compounds. This suggests the existence of a discrete receptor population recognized by some but not all agonists.For oxotremorine er as well as -log K _A, is greater in atria than in smooth muscle: these factors combine to determine the cardioselectivity of this compound which can now ascribed to receptor selectivity. Send offprint requests to E. Grana at the above address     

Interaction of some muscarinic agonists and antagonists at the prejunctional muscarinic receptor in the rabbit ear artery preparation.

The inhibitory effect of several muscarinic agonists on responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation of the isolated perfused ear artery of the rabbit was compared to that of acetylcholine in preparations pretreated with dyflos, cocaine and yohimbine. In general the potency of the agonists was similar to that observed at peripheral muscarinic sites except for arecaidine propargyl ester and 4-(m-chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl trimethylammonium chloride (McN-A-343). The inhibitory effect observed with N-benzyl-3-pyrrolidyl acetate methobromide (AHR-602) was not exerted via muscarinic receptors. With carbachol (CCh) as an agonist, the antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) was found to have a pKB value of 7.74 and thus was 19 fold less active as an antagonist of responses to the agonist, than previously reported for guinea-pig ileum. When McN-A-343 was used as the agonist, the slope of the Schild plot with the antagonist was significantly less than unity. It is suggested that an allosteric interaction of 4-DAMP may be involved with this agonist. By use of an allosteric model, a pKB of 8.56 for 4-DAMP was obtained. Secoverine produced similar pKB values with either CCh (8.19) or McN-A-343 (8.13) as the agonist.