Improving effect of the synthetic protease inhibitor E-3123 on experimental DIC in dogs]

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a severe syndrome associated with generalized, intractable bleeding and multiple organ failure. Synthesized protease inhibitors such as gabexate mesilate and nafamostat mesilate show an improving effect on DIC, which develops by a chain reaction involving the coagulation, fibrinolysis, complement and kallikrein systems. Experimental DIC was developed in Beagle dogs by infusion of 150 U/kg tissue thromboplastin (Group I), and the improving effect of a new synthetic protease inhibitor, E-3123, was examined. The following groups of animals were treated with drugs: Group II (n = 4) was given with 5 mg/kg/hr of E-3123; group III (n = 4) was given 10 mg/kg/hr of E-3123; and group IV was given 6 mg/kg/hr of gabexate mesilate (GM). Although improvement of the hemodynamics or peripheral circulation was not apparent, a slight, but insignificant, improvement of lactate/pyruvate was noted in the treated groups. On the other hand, the hemostatic abnormalities such as prolongation of prothrombin time and activated thromboplastin time; decreases of platelet count, fibrinogen and alpha 2-antiplasmin; and increases of fibrin degradation products were significantly improved in the treated groups. These results indicate that E-3123 is effective for improving experimental DIC, and it is suggested that E-3123 is applicable for the treatment of clinical DIC.     

Effects of cholinoceptor blocking drugs, adrenoceptor stimulants, and calcium antagonists on the transmurally stimulated guinea-pig urinary bladder in vitro and in vivo.

The effects of different drugs on the response to transmural electrical stimulation of the guinea-pig urinary bladder were studied in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, atropine (3.0 x 10(-8)-5.9 x 10(-4) M) did not influence the contractions. When used in high concentrations (greater than 5.2 x 10(-5) M), PR 197, another anticholinergic compound, reduced the responses by 25-40%, probably by a non-specific action. Noradrenaline (2.0 x 10(-6)--2.0 x 10(-4) M) and isoprenaline (2.0 x 10(-8)-2.0 x 10(-4) M) had concentration-related inhibitory effects that could be blocked by propranolol (5.2 x 10(-6) M). Adenosine (2.0 x 10(-2) M) inhibited the response by 27 +/- 3% (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 9). Theophylline (2.0 x 10(-5)-6.0 x 10(-4) M) had no consistent effects. The calcium antagonist nifedipone (1.2 x 10(-6)-1.7 x 10(-5) M) reduced the contractions by 25-50%; verapamil (2.2 x 10(-5)-4.4 x 10(-4) M) was little effective. In vivo, atropine (10 mg/kg) reduced the contractions by 55 +/- 5% (n = 10), whereas PR 197 (5 mg/kg) almost completely suppressed the responses. Noradrenaline (20-100 microgram/kg) and isoprenaline (20-300 microgram/kg) also caused a marked inhibition that could be blocked by propranolol (0.25-2.0 mg/kg). Theophylline (5 and 10 mg/kg) had a weak (10-20%) inhibitory effect. Adenosine (3.0 mg/kg) reduced the contractions by 47 +/- 4% (n = 14); in guinea-pigs pretreated with atropine (10 mg/kg), adenosine produced a further 10 to 20% decrease of the responses. Verapamil (0.5-2.0 mg/kg) had no consistent effect, whereas nifedipine (0.1-0.2 mg/kg) caused an inhibition of 20-50%. The results suggest that beta-adrenoceptor stimulants, and drugs with a combined anticholinergic and non-specific action, can effectively suppress the electrically evoked contractions in the guinea-pig urinary bladder.     

Pharmacological studies of 6-amidino-2-naphthyl 4-[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate dimethanesulfonate. Effects on experimental pancreatitis

The effects of FUT-187 (6-amidino-2-naphthyl 4-[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate dimethanesulfonate, CAS 103926-82-5), a novel synthetic protease inhibitor, were examined in experimental rat and canine models of pancreatitis. 1. FUT-187 significantly increased the survival of rats with trypsin- and phospholipase A2-induced pancreatitis in a dose-dependent manner (10-100 mg/kg, p.o.). 2. FUT-187 decreased plasma enzymatic activity reflecting the degree of pancreatitis in rats with ethionine-induced pancreatitis, and showed a tendency to ameliorate histopathological changes in the pancreas (10-100 mg/kg p.o.). 3. FUT-187 (10 mg/kg) produced an obvious improvement of various biochemical parameters of pancreatitis and also reduced histopathological changes in the pancreas in animals with experimental pancreatitis produced by the closed duodenal loop method. In addition, FUT-187 significantly increased the survival of dogs when given by direct administration into the lumen of the closed duodenal loop. The therapeutic effects of FUT-187 in experimental pancreatitis were nearly equal in most instances to those of camostat mesilate. Thus, FUT-187 would appear to be an effective new agent for the treatment of pancreatitis.     

Effects of M6434, an orally active alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, on experimental postural hypotension in rabbits and dogs]

We examined the effects of M6434 on mean blood pressure and heart rate in conscious rabbits and dogs and on experimental models of postural hypotension in conscious rabbits and anesthetized dogs. M6434, given orally, elevated the mean blood pressure in conscious rabbits and dogs. The pressor effect of M6434 was more potent than that of midodrine, but the bradycardiac action of M6434 was weaker than that of midodrine. M6434 (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg, p.o.) prevented the head-up tilt-induced reductions of mean blood pressure and cerebral tissue blood flow in conscious rabbits, and these effects of M6434 were about 3 times more potent than those of midodrine. In the postural hypotension of anesthetized dogs, M6434 at the doses more than 10 micrograms/kg, i.v. also produced the preventive effects on mean blood pressure and cerebral tissue blood flow. These effects of M6434 were about 10-30 times more potent than those of midodrine. These results show that M6434 possesses a potent hypertensive effect with a weaker bradycardiac action and suggest that M6434 may be a potential candidate for an anti-hypotensive agent that can prevent the deterioration of hemodynamics in postural hypotension.     

Pharmacological studies of celiprolol: III. Effects of celiprolol on the cardiovascular system and renal function, and its antiarrhythmic effects

Effects of celiprolol on the cardiovascular system and renal function, and its antiarrhythmic effects were studied. 1. In anesthetized dogs, celiprolol (0.01-3 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently depressed the maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure, cardiac output and cardiac work less severely than propranolol and atenolol. 2. Celiprolol (0.01 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased the myocardial oxygen consumption in anesthetized dogs as potently as propranolol. 3. Celiprolol (0.03-3 mg/kg, i.v.) tended to increase femoral blood flow. Celiprolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.) increased common carotid blood flow. 4. Celiprolol decreased urine volume and urinary excretion of Na+ and Cl- at doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg and increased the sodium reabsorption rate at a dose of 10 mg/kg in anesthetized dogs, whereas it produced no change in plasma renin activity. 5. Celiprolol inhibited both halothane-adrenaline arrhythmia in dogs and ouabain-induced arrhythmia in rabbits. Its antiarrhythmic effects were 1/10-1/3 as potent as those of propranolol. 6. Celiprolol suppressed the maximum rate of rise of action potential at a concentration of 3 x 10(-4) M, which was 30 times as high as that of propranolol. Celiprolol (3 x 10(-5)-3 x 10(-4) M) dose-dependently shortened the effective refractory period (ERP), but it produced no change in the ratio of ERP to action potential duration. 7. These results suggest that celiprolol may be a useful drug for the treatment of ischemic heart disease and some types of arrhythmia, and that it has only a little influence on renal function.     

Decreasing the infusion rate reduces the proarrhythmic risk of NS-7: confirming the relevance of short-term variability of repolarisation in predicting drug-induced torsades de pointes

1 The rate of infusion has been suggested to be important for drug-induced torsades de pointes (TdP) arrhythmias. We investigated the repolarisation-prolonging effects and proarrhythmic properties of NS-7, a neuroprotective drug in development, using two different infusion rates. 2 A fast (5 min intravenously (i.v.)) escalating dosing regimen (0.3 and 3.0 mg kg(-1), n=4) of NS-7 was investigated in anaesthetised control dogs in sinus rhythm (SR). This was compared to a slow infusion (60 min i.v.) of one dose (3.0 mg kg(-1), n=4) NS-7. The similar dosing regimens were investigated in anaesthetised dogs with chronic, complete AV block (CAVB), an animal model of TdP (n=6). 3 No electrophysiological effects were seen after 0.3 mg kg(-1) NS-7. Fast infusion of 3.0 mg kg(-1) caused prolongation of repolarisation, for example, heart rate corrected QT interval (QT(c)): in SR: 6+/-1%; in CAVB: 10+/-7%, which was accompanied by TdP in three of six CAVB dogs. No TdP were seen in SR dogs. 4 Slow infusion did not cause TdP in the same CAVB dogs, although NS-7 caused repolarisation to prolong with a similar magnitude (QT(c): 12+/-7%) as in the fast-infusion experiment. 5 Short-term variability (STV) is a novel parameter for the prediction of drug-induced TdP analysing the beat-to-beat variability of repolarisation. STV was only increased after the fast infusion in CAVB dogs (2.6+/-0.3 versus 6.0+/-1.4 ms, P<0.05), while there was no increase (2.1+/-0.2 versus 2.5+/-1.0 ms) after the slow infusion of NS-7. 6 Peak plasma concentrations attained were lower in slow (0.5+/-0.1 microg ml(-1) after 50 min) than in fast-infusion regimen (2.1+/-0.4 microg ml(-1) after 5 min; P<0.05). 7 The results support the conclusion that limiting peak plasma concentration by decreasing the rate of infusion of NS-7 reduces the proarrhythmic risk despite comparable prolongation in repolarisation parameters. The relevance of STV in predicting drug-induced TdP was confirmed.     

Suppression of the Arthus reaction by Y-24180, a potent and specific antagonist of platelet-activating factor.

A novel and potent antagonist of platelet-activating factor (PAF), Y-24180 (4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-[2-(4-isobutylphenyl)ethyl]-6,9-dimethyl-6H- thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4] diazepine) was investigated for the effects on the skin reactions induced by chemical mediators and the Arthus reactions. In the rat dorsal skin, Y-24180 (0.1-10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited increase in vascular permeability by the intradermal PAF injection in a dose dependent manner and the inhibitory activity was 60 times more potent than that of WEB 2086. While even at doses as large as 10 mg/kg, p.o., it had no effect on vascular permeability in the rat skin induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and leukotriene D4. On a reversed passive Arthus reaction in rat dorsal skin, Y-24180 (0.1-1 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly inhibited vascular permeability in a dose dependent manner and the inhibitory activity was 15 times more potent than that of WEB 2086. Y-24180 also inhibited the Arthus dermal reaction in rabbits (0.03-0.3 mg/kg, p.o.) and guinea pigs (0.1-1 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, Y-24180 (0.1-10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the exudate volume and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells in the reversed passive Arthus pleural reaction in rats. Furthermore, in rat passive Arthus pancreatitis, Y-24180 (0.3-10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the dye extravasation from the pancreas. These results provide strong evidence that endogenous PAF plays an important role as a mediator in the type III allergic inflammation.     

The effect of a xanthine derivative, 1-(5' oxohexyl)-3-methyl-7-propylxanthine (HWA 285), on heart performance and regional blood flow in dogs and rabbits.

1. The effect of a new xanthine derivate 1-5' oxohexyl-3-methyl-7-propylxanthine (HWA 285) was studied on heart performance in dogs and rabbits and on regional blood flow in rabbits. 2. Heart performance (cardiac output and dP/dt max) in dogs was increased. Cardiac work (calculated as CO x mean BP) was not changed in dogs and did not change or was slightly decreased in rabbits. Heart rate was increased in dogs and unchanged in rabbits. 3. Blood pressure decreased slightly in dogs, and more markedly in rabbits. Total peripheral resistance was decreased in both species. 4. Regional blood flow (studied by use of 15 micrometers labelled microspheres) was increased in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle; the increase was dose-dependent in the range 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg HWA 285 per kg intravenously. The highest dose produced a 2 fold decrease in the peripheral resistance in the brain, a 2.5 fold decrease in the heart and 4 fold decrease in skeletal muscle. 5. The drugs preferentially dilated small (7 to 10 micrometers) rather than larger (12 to 17 micrometers) arterioles; 9 micrometers microspheres were found in the outflowing blood after application of the drug, and the calculated blood flow increases were smaller, or absent, as compared with values obtained with 15 micrometer microspheres.     

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.     

Inhibition of ATP-induced contraction in the guinea-pig urinary bladder in vitro and in vivo.

Contractions were elicted by adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in the guinea-pig urinary bladder in vitro and in vivo. In isolated detrusor strips, tetrodotoxin (3.1 x 10(-6)--4.4 x 10(-5) M) did not affect contractions induced by a submaximum concentration (10(-3) M) of ATP, nor did atropine (1.7 X 10(-6)--2.1 x 10(-4) M), or the anticholinergic agent PR 197 within the concentration range 2.6 x 10(-8)--2.6 x (0(-5) M. In higher concentractions (5.2 x 10(-5)--2.6 x 10(-4) M), PR 197 inhibited the ATP-response by 60-70% in a way that was not clearly concentration-related. Isoprenaline (10(-7)--2.0 x 10(-5) M) and noradrenaline (2.5 x 10(-6)--10(-4) M) reduced the ATP-induced contractions by up to 79%. The effects of the amines were abolished by propranolol (5.2 x 10(-6)--3.8 x 10(-5) M). Adenosine, 1.0--2.0 x 10(-2) M, reduced the ATP-response by about 50%; in lower concentrations, it had no effect. Nifedipine, 7.8 x 10(-7)--1.2 x 10(-5) M, reduced the responses by 15-79%. Indomethacin (less than 2.0 x 10(-4) M), and theophylline (2.0 x 10(-4) M) had no consistent effects on ATP-induced concentrations. Exposure of the preparations to a calcium-free medium reduced and abolished the ATP-response within 60 min. Intravenous injection of ATP (1-20 MG/KG) caused a rapid and transient increase in intravesical pressure in the anaesthetized guinea-pig. The effect of ATP (3 mg/kg) was reduced by atropine (5-10 mg/kg) by approximately 35%. PR 197 (2.5-5 mg/kg) abolished the ATP-response. Isoprenaline (5-100 microgram/kg) caused a 53-95% inhibition that could be blocked by propranolol (1 mg/kg). The inhibiting effect of noradrenaline (10-100 microgram/kg) could not be blocked by propranolol (1 mg/kg). Adenosine (1.5-3.0 mg/kg) given immedicately before ATP completely inhibited the ATP-response. Nifedipine, 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, reduced the ATP-induced contraction by 34 to 100%. It is concluded that the ATP-induced contraction is elicted by a direct effect on the smooth muscle cell. It can be inhibited non-specifically by drugs with different modes of action.     

Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme by (R)-3-[(S)-1-carboxy-5-(4-piperidyl)pentyl]amino-4-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetra- hydro-1,5-benzothiazepine-6-acetic acid (CV-5975), a non-sulfhydryl compound

CV-5975, (R)-3-[(S)-1-carboxy-5-(4-piperidyl)pentyl]amino-4-oxo- 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine-5-acetic acid, was found to inhibit rabbit lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity with an IC50 of 3.1 x 10(-9) M and a Ki of 2.6 x 10(-9) M, inhibit the angiotensin I (A-I)-induced contraction of the guinea pig ileum with an IC50 of 1.3 x 10(-8) M, and augment the bradykinin (BK)-induced contraction of the ileum with an AC50 of 9.2 x 10(-10) M. The activity of CV-5975 was comparable to or slightly more potent than that of enalaprilat. The overall inhibition constant (Ki*), calculated from a steady-state analysis of enzyme reactions, was 4.4 x 10(-12) M for CV-5975; this indicates that the inhibition was about 5 times more potent than that of enalaprilat (2.0 x 10(-11) M). In rats, CV-5975 (0.03 and 0.3 mg/kg, i.v. and 3 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the A-I-induced pressor action more potently and for a longer period than did the corresponding doses of enalaprilat and enalapril. CV-5975 and enalapril (3 mg/kg, p.o.) augmented the BK-induced depressor action to a similar extent. In dogs, CV-5975 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly inhibited the A-I-induced pressor action in a dose related manner, and the duration of this inhibitory activity was longer than with the corresponding doses of enalapril. These data provide evidence for the proposal that CV-5975 is a highly potent and long lasting ACE inhibitor.     

Novel indoline-based acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor with antiperoxidative activity: improvement of physicochemical properties and biological activities by introduction of carboxylic acid

A series of novel indoline derivatives with an ionizable moiety were synthesized to find a bioavailable acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor with antiperoxidative activity. [7-(2,2-Dimethylpropanamido)-4,6-dimethyl-1-octylindolin-5-yl]acetic acid hemisulfate (2, pactimibe sulfate) with low lipophilicity and high water solubility showed good oral absorption and inhibitory activity against foam cell formation in THP-1 cells exposed to acetyl-LDL after differentiation (IC50: 0.3 microM) and an antiperoxidative effect in LDL of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (IC50: 1.0 microM). 2 inhibited macrophage, hepatic, and intestinal ACAT activity (IC50: 1.9, 0.7, and 0.7 microM, respectively). Maximal plasma concentration after oral administration of 2 at 10 mg/kg was 0.9 microg/mL in rats, 3.0 microg/mL in rabbits, and 11.2 microg/mL in dogs. Repeated administration of 2 lowered plasma LDL/VLDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rabbits at 1 mg/kg/day, rats and dogs at 3 mg/kg/day, and in normocholesterolemic hamsters at 3 mg/kg/day. 2 is a promising candidate for antihyperlipidemic and antiatherosclerotic drugs.     

Cardiovascular effects of the new cardiotonic agent 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-5-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)-3-pyridine carbonitrile hydrochloride monohydrate. 2nd communication: studies in dogs

The cardiovascular effects of 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-5-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)-3-pyridine carbonitrile hydrochloride monohydrate (E-1020), a new nonglycoside, noncatechol cardiotonic agent, were investigated in dogs. In anesthetized dogs, E-1020 (10-100 micrograms/kg i.v.) dose-relatedly increased cardiac contractility (LV dP/dtmax), enhanced cardiac index and decreased systemic vascular resistance accompanying relatively small reduction in mean aortic pressure and a mild increase in heart rate. Coronary and femoral arterial blood flow were increased by either systemic intravenous or topical administration of E-1020. The degree of increase in myocardial oxygen consumption was only slight (10% at 30 micrograms/kg i.v.). The inotropic effect of E-1020 was not markedly affected by pretreatment with beta-adrenoceptor blockade, reserpine or other cardiotonic agents such as dobutamine or ouabain. In two experimental heart failure models induced by an excessive dose of propranolol or by coronary occlusion following volume-loading, E-1020 (30 micrograms/kg i.v.) rapidly reversed the cardiac depression. In chronically instrumented conscious dogs, E-1020 (30-100 micrograms/kg i.v. or 0.3-10 mg/kg p.o.) produced dose-dependent increases in LV dP/dtmax with minor increases in heart rate. E-1020 did not exacerbate arrhythmias of several experimental models in anesthetized dogs even at high dose of 100 micrograms/kg i.v. These results indicate that E-1020 is an intravenously and orally effective cardiotonic agent with vasodilating property, and that it may be beneficial in the treatment of acute and chronic congestive heart failure.     

Effects of the new antiplatelet agent 2-methyl-3-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinoyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine on platelet aggregation and thrombosis in experimental animals.

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of KC-764 (2-methyl-3-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinoyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine, CAS 94457-09-7) were studied. KC-764 inhibited arachidonic acid (AA)- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation with IC50s of 1.0 x 10(-8)-2.8 x 10(-7) mol/l for humans, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs, and IC50s of 3.9 x 10(-6)-3.7 x 10(-5) mol/l for mice and rats in vitro. KC-764 inhibited AA- and collagen-induced aggregation with ID50s of 0.04-0.09 mg/kg p.o. in rabbits and dogs, and ID50 of 13.0 mg/kg p.o. in rats. These antiaggregatory activities of KC-764 were stronger than those of acetyl-salicylic acid (ASA), indometacin, cilostazol and ticlopidine. KC-764 inhibited the production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in rabbit platelet microsomes, washed platelets and reconstituted platelet rich plasma (RPRP) with IC50s of 2.9 x 10(-6) mol/l, 2.8 x 10(-7) mol/l and 4.3 x 10(-8) mol/l, respectively. The in vitro inhibitory activity of KC-764 on AA-induced platelet aggregation was more potent when RPRP was used rather than washed platelet suspension containing 30% rabbit plasma. ASA did not show such an augmentation. KC-764 prevented collagen- and AA-induced thrombosis at more than 1 mg/kg p.o. and more than 0.1 mg/kg i.v. in mice and rabbits. KC-764 showed the wider margin of dose between antiplatelet action and prolongation of bleeding time in rabbits than ASA and indometacin. These results indicated that KC-764 was a potent antithrombotic drug to prevent TXB2 production and less possible to induce untoward actions as compared with ASA or indometacin.     

Toxicological evaluation of 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-2-(methylaminocarbonyl)hydrazine (VNP40101M), a novel alkylating agent with potential antitumor activity, with intravenous administration in rats and dogs

These studies investigated the toxicological effects of 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-2-(methylaminocarbonyl) hydrazine, VNP40101M, a novel alkylating antitumor agent, in animals. Sprague-Dawley rats (2-10/sex/time point at each dose) and Beagle dogs (1-3/sex/time point at each dose) were treated with VNP40101M (0 [vehicle], 1, 3, 10, and 20 mg/kg in rats and 0, 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg in dogs), given intravenously (IV, bolus via the tail or slow push via the cephalic or saphenous vein, respectively) once daily for 5 consecutive days. Clinical signs, mortality, body weight, clinical pathology, gross necropsy, organ weights, and histopathology were evaluated for as long as 43 days in rats and 50 days in dogs. In rats, the toxic doses were found to be at 10 and 20 mg/kg, which induced mainly pulmonary toxicity and mortality. The pulmonary toxicity was reflected by an increase in lung weight; clear, pink or red fluid within the thoracic cavity observed at necropsy; and histopathological evidence of alveolar edema, vascular congestion, alveolar histiocytosis, and vascular thrombi. Although some of these effects were observed in rats treated with 3 mg/kg, the incidence was low (approximately 7%-30%) and may be reversible (based on the time-dependent reduction in the magnitude of lung weight increases). Therefore, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD, or the maximum dose that did not induce significant toxicity or induced reversible toxicity) was > or = 3 mg/kg. VNP40101M at 1 mg/kg did not induce any toxicity, other than low incidence of alveolar edema (2/30 rats), and increased incidences of capillary ectasis/congestion and alveolar histocytosis (2-6/30 rats vs. 1/30-36 in control rats). Therefore, the low effect level (LOEL) is considered to be 1 mg/kg in rats when given IV for 5 days. In dogs, LOEL, MTD, and toxic dose levels were comparable (based on a body weight/surface area conversion) to those in rats, except for some gastrointestinal (GI) effects (i.e., red lesion in the ileum) observed at 0.3 mg/kg (equivalent to 1 mg/kg, or similar to the LOEL in rats) and the associated effects (slight body weight loss and inappetence). For dogs treated with 1 mg/kg (equivalent to approximately 3 mg/kg, or MTD, in rats), VNP40101M induced the same GI effects seen in dogs treated with 0.3 mg/kg of VNP40101M. Additionally, a transient reduction in white blood cell counts was also observed. Three mg/kg (equivalent to approximately 10 mg/kg, or toxic dose level, in rats) was toxic to dogs, as reflected by the poor clinical condition of these dogs, which subsequently required euthanasia. In conclusion, VNP40101M, when given IV once daily for 5 consecutive days, has a LOEL of 1 mg/kg, a MTD of 3 mg/kg, and toxic doses at > or = 10 mg/kg in rats. The primary toxicity of VNP40101M was pulmonary toxicity and mortality. Based on an interspecies body weight/surface area conversion, VNP40101M had comparable LOEL (0.3 mg/kg), MTD (1 mg/kg), and toxic doses (> or = 3 mg/kg) in dogs, except that dogs appeared to be more sensitive to the GI effects of VNP40101M.     

Hemodynamic profile of BM 14.478: a new positive inotropic and vasodilating agent

BM 14.478 (7,7-dimethyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-6,7-dihydro-3H,5H pyrrolo [2,3-f]benz-imidazol-6-one) was investigated in anesthetized rats and cats and conscious dogs. Left ventricular dp/dt was increased after intravenous injection of 0.01-0.1 mg/kg in rats (7,200 +/- 300 to 10,700 +/- 500 mm Hg/s), 0.001-0.3 mg/kg in cats (2,800 +/- 200 to 4,500 +/- 100 mm Hg/s) and 0.01 +/- 3.0 mg/kg in dogs (2,400 +/- 100 to 4,400 +/- 500 mm Hg/s). The inotropic potency was about 5- to 18-fold higher than that of milrinone. Effects persisted for more than 6.5 h in dogs after administration of 1 mg/kg p.o., which was definitely longer than that of milrinone. Hypotension and a moderate tachycardia were observed in the same dose range. In conscious dogs the compound increased cardiac output by 39 +/- 10%, and stroke volume by 17 +/- 7% and lowered total peripheral resistance by 45 +/- 5% and right atrial pressure by 3.0 +/- 0.3 mm Hg. BM 14.478 induced no tolerance after repeated administration in dogs when administered in a dose of 1 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d. for 10 days.     

Effects of intravenous azimilide on cardiac performance, fibrillation threshold, and hemodynamics in anesthetized dogs

The class III antiarrhythmic azimilide (E-1-[[[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-furanyl]methylene]-amino]-3-[4-(4-methyl-1- piperazinyl)butyl]-2,4-imidazolidinedione dihydrochloride; WHO No. 7299, CAS 149888-94-8), by slow infusion or stepwise bolus doses, was evaluated for effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac pump function, excitability, and refractoriness in anesthetized dogs. Infusion (0.6 mg/kg/min) in male beagles (n = 5) to a maximum dose of 54 mg/kg increased QTc more than 20 ms at 2.0 mg/kg. At a dose of 8.9 mg/kg i.v., QTc increased 34% above baseline and remained elevated throughout the subsequent infusion and for at least 60 min postinfusion. At this maximum class III dose, azimilide increased heart contractile force (HCF) 10% and +dP/dt 34% and decreased heart rate (HR) 12%, without significantly changing mean blood pressure (MBP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure, -dP/dt, stroke volume (SV), or cardiac output (CO). At the mean maximum 47 mg/kg i.v. dose, QTc remained elevated, but decreases were observed in HCF (-27%), +dP/dt (-24%), -dP/dt (-35%), SV (-16%), and CO (-52%). Cumulative intravenous bolus injections of azimilide (0.3, 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) in male mongrels (n = 5) increased effective refractory period (ERP) and +dP/dt (18% and 16%, respectively, at 10 mg/kg) as a function of dose and significantly decreased HR (-22% at 10 mg/kg). MBP decreased significantly (-23%) only at the highest dose. Ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was unchanged at 30 mg/kg. Effects of dl- (n = 3) and d-sotalol (n = 4) on ERP and HR were similar to azimilide's, but both compounds caused a greater MBP depression and VFT elevation. These results suggest that azimilide is well tolerated by the cardiovascular system, providing an increase in contractility and a slight decrease in HR at intravenous doses that produced a large or maximum increase in cardiac refractoriness.     

Effects of lignocaine and propranolol on experimental cardiac arrhythmias

1. The effects of intravenous injection of lignocaine and propranolol were studied in dogs.2. Ventricular ectopic beats produced by intravenous injection of adrenaline in anaesthetized dogs respired with halothane were abolished in four out of six dogs by lignocaine. Propranolol was effective in all three dogs tested.3. Intravenous infusion of lignocaine at (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg)/min to total doses of 3.0 +/- 1.0 and 2.2 +/- 0.5 mg/kg, respectively, abolished the ventricular tachycardia produced in anaesthetized dogs by ouabain. A similar effect was produced by infusion of propranolol at (0.2 mg/kg)/min to a total dose of 1.9 +/- 0.4 mg/kg. Intravenous injection of single doses of lignocaine (4.0-8.0 mg/kg) also abolished the arrhythmia.4. The frequency of the ventricular ectopic beats occurring in conscious dogs 20-44 h after ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery was reduced, with an increase in the number of sinus beats, after intravenous injection of lignocaine (8.0 mg/kg). Larger doses produced excitement. Propranolol (4.0 mg/kg) had a greater effect than the same dose of lignocaine but after 8.0 mg/kg, three of the four dogs died.5. Propranolol was more effective than lignocaine in abolishing the three different types of arrhythmia.6. Dose-response curves showed that lignocaine was more active in abolishing the ouabain induced arrhythmia than the halothane-adrenaline arrhythmia and was least active on the arrhythmia caused by ligation of the coronary artery.     

Involvement of tissue kallikrein but not plasma kallikrein in the development of symptoms mediated by endogenous kinins in acute pancreatitis in rats

In order to investigate the mechanism of kinin release leading to vascular symptoms in acute interstitial-oedematous pancreatitis, the novel, selective inhibitors of tissue kallikrein, (2S,2'R)-2-(2'-amino-3'-(4'-chlorophenyl)propanoylamino)-N-(3-guanidinopropyl)-3-(1-naphthyl)propanoamide (FE999024, CH-2856), and of plasma kallikrein, (2'S,2"R)-4-(2'-(2"(carboxymethylamino)-3"-cyclohexyl-propanoylamino)-3'-phenyl-propanoylamino)piperidine-1-carboxamidin (FE999026, CH-4215), were used in experimental caerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats. Oedema formation and plasma protein extravasation during the 2 h infusion of caerulein were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by i.p. pretreatment with FE999024 (7-60 micromol kg(-1)) while FE999026 had no effect at the same doses. Haemoconcentration and hypovolaemia associated with the pancreatic oedema formation during pancreatitis were significantly attenuated by FE999024 at a dose of 20 micro mol kg(-1). The reduction in circulating plasma volume was not affected by FE999026. Accumulation of amylase and lipase in the pancreas was dose-dependently reduced by FE999024 while enzyme activities in the blood serum were increased by FE999024 at 60 micromol kg(-1) indicating improved enzyme removal from the tissue. Enzyme activities in the tissue and in the blood remained unaffected by FE999026. FE999024 (20 micromol kg(-1)) largely inhibited increased tissue kallikrein-like activity in the pancreas during acute pancreatitis and also strongly attenuated influx of plasma kallikrein into the tissue. FE999026 (20 micromol kg(-1)) significantly inhibited plasma kallikrein-like activity in the pancreas but had no effect on tissue kallikrein-like activity. In conclusion, vascular kinin-mediated symptoms observed during oedematous pancreatitis in the rat are caused by the action of tissue kallikrein in the pancreas whereas an involvement of plasma kallikrein seems to be unlikely.     

Renal effects of alpha-adrenoceptor blockade during furosemide diuresis in conscious rats.

Clearance experiments were performed in conscious rats in order to investigate whether intravenous infusion of the non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine could block compensatory sodium reabsorption during furosemide-induced volume contraction. By measuring inulin clearance, urinary excretion rates of sodium and water, and lithium clearance, the effects on proximal and distal nephron segments were dissociated. The renal effect of intravenous infusion of 0.3 mg/kg/hr phentolamine (n = 6) was compared with time control animals (n = 9). Furosemide was administered as constant intravenous infusion (7.5 mg/kg/hr) with simultaneous phentolamine infusion at four dose levels: 0 (n = 9), 0.3 (n = 6), 1.0 (n = 7) and 3.0 mg/kg/hr (n = 6). Phentolamine infusion reduced norepinephrine-induced increase in blood pressure at all three dose levels (n = 5). Phentolamine infusion induced transient antidiuresis and a prolonged antinatriuretic response. Compared with rats given furosemide only, phentolamine attenuated dose-dependently the diuretic and natriuretic peak response to furosemide. This effect was associated with dose-dependent reductions in mean arterial pressure. The reduced natriuretic response was due to a reduced fractional sodium excretion in the distal nephron segment (at all doses of phentolamine) and a reduction of the glomerular filtration rate (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/hr phentolamine). The fractional lithium excretion (FELi) increased to 65 +/- 3% at 0.3 mg/kg/hr phentolamine during the natriuretic peak response of furosemide, while it only increased to 52 +/- 3% during furosemide alone. At steady-state conditions (120-180 min. after start of furosemide infusion) after infusion with furosemide plus 0.3 mg/kg/hr phentolamine the animals were still volume-depleted, but the compensatory tubular Na reabsorption in the proximal tubules was inhibited (FELi = 48 +/- 2% versus 39 +/- 1% in rats given furosemide alone). During furosemide infusion plasma epinephrine increased 700% and plasma norepinephrine increased 50%. These results are compatible with increased systemic sympathetic nervous activity and a contributory role of proximal tubular alpha-adrenoceptors in mediating compensatory sodium reabsorption during acute furosemide-induced volume contraction.