Cardiac action of KB-944, a new calcium antagonist

A comparative study was made between the cardiac action of diethyl 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)benzylphosphonate (KB-944) and those of nifedipine, diltiazem and verapamil in anesthetized dogs and isolated right atria of guinea pigs. In anesthetized dogs, KB-944 caused a dose-dependent fall in mean blood pressure and dose-dependent increase in coronary sinus outflow. Coronary sinus outflow oxygen pressure was increased with increasing coronary sinus outflow; and consequently, the coronary arterio-venous oxygen difference was decreased. The cardiac output was slightly increased, while the myocardial oxygen consumption and myocardial work were reduced. In the isolated right atria of guinea pigs, KB-944 produced a decrease in spontaneous atria rate, and at the concentration of 10(-6) g/ml atrial standstill was seen in few preparations. The contractile force was decreased by KB-944. Especially, KB-944 exerted the weakest effect on contractile force among the tested drugs. These actions of KB-944 are very similar to those of nifedipine, diltiazem and verapamil.     

Vasodilator action of KB-944, a new calcium antagonist

Vasodilator action of diethyl 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)benzylphosphonate (KB-944) was mainly examined in comparison with papaverine in isolated perfused heart and anesthetized or conscious dogs. In isolated perfused heart, KB-944 (1-30 micrograms/heart i.a.) and diltiazem (1-30 micrograms/heart i.a.) produced a dose-dependent increase in coronary flow, and dose-dependent decrease in the heart rate and the myocardial contractile force. On the other hand, papaverine (3-100 micrograms/heart i.a.) produced a dose-dependent increase in coronary flow and heart rate, and did not practically affect the myocardial contractile force. KB-944 was about 3 times as active as papaverine and diltiazem on the percent increase of coronary flow. In anesthetized dogs, KB-944 (0.03-0.3 mg/kg i.v. or 10 mg/kg i.d.), diltiazem (0.03-0.3 mg/kg i.v. or 10 mg/kg i.d.) and papaverine (0.1-1 mg/kg i.v.) significantly increased the coronary blood flow with hypotension. Simultaneously, KB-944 and diltiazem decreased the heart rate, whereas papaverine increased it. Furthermore, KB-944 and diltiazem selectively increased the coronary blood flow more than the carotid blood flow, though papaverine increased the carotid blood flow more than the coronary blood flow. In case of i.v. route, KB-944 and diltiazem were about 5 times as active as papaverine on the percent increase of coronary blood flow. In case of i.d. route, the effect on coronary blood flow and heart rate induced by KB-944 was quantitatively similar to that induced by diltiazem, although the decrease in blood pressure induced by diltiazem was lesser than that produced by KB-944. In conscious dogs, KB-944 (0.03-0.3 mg/kg i.v. or 10-100 mg/kg p.o.) produced a dose-dependent increase in coronary blood flow and heart rate. In case of i.v. route, this vasodilator activity of KB-944 was 10 times as potent as that of papaverine. Thus, KB-944 is a more potent coronary vasodilator. Furthermore, KB-944 is well absorbed from the intestinal tract, and produces a long-acting increase in the coronary blood flow.     

Cardiac and coronary vasodilator effects of the novel cardiotonic agent, MCI-154, assessed in isolated, blood-perfused dog heart preparations

MCI-154 is a potent nonglycoside and non-sympathomimetic cardiotonic agent with a pyridazinone structure. We assessed its cardiac and coronary vasodilator effects by use of isolated, blood-perfused papillary muscle, sinoatrial (SA) node, and atrioventricular (AV) node preparations of dogs. The drug (1-100 nmol) was injected intraarterially. MCI-154 increased the force of contraction of paced and unpaced papillary muscles but failed to affect the rate of automaticity of the latter. It increased sinus rate and shortened AV conduction time by accelerating AV nodal conduction, but in all doses examined it produced no arrhythmias. In all preparations, it increased blood flow. All the effects were long-lasting (1-2 h). MCI-154, however, was not homogeneously effective on these cardiovascular variables. The drug was nearly equieffective in producing a positive inotropic effect and coronary vasodilatation, but less effective in producing positive chronotropic and dromotropic effects. In having such a cardiovascular profile, MCI-154 most resembles milrinone among new cardiotonic agents, although unlike milrinone, its main mechanism of cardiotonic action is believed to be the sensitization of the contractile proteins to Ca2+. Whatever mechanisms are involved, the revealed cardiovascular profile of MCI-154 justifies its clinical trial in the treatment of heart failure.     

Cardiac effects of clinically available Kampo medicine assessed with canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations

Cardiac effects of 10 kinds of clinically available Kampo medicines were investigated: Kakkon-to (TJ-1), Dai-saiko-to (TJ-8), Boi-ogi-to (TJ-20), Chorei-to (TJ-40), Rokumi-gan (TJ-87), Tsu-do-san (TJ-105), Gosha-jinki-gan (TJ-107), San'o-shashin-to (TJ-113), Sairei-to (TJ-114) and Inchin-gorei-san (TJ-117). Chronotropic and inotropic effects were studied using canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations, while subcellular mechanisms were analyzed by measuring the drug-induced changes of the adenylate cyclase activity in the canine ventricular membrane preparation. Intracoronary injections of TJ-1, TJ-20, TJ-105 and TJ-113 increased the sinoatrial rate and developed tension of papillary muscle in a dose-related manner, which was significantly attenuated by the pretreatment of the preparations with beta-blocker propranolol. Meanwhile, the other extracts hardly affected these parameters. TJ-1, TJ-20 and TJ-113 increased the adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-related manner, but their potency was significantly less compared with that by an equivalent concentration of isoproterenol. Moreover, TJ-105 did not increase the adenylate cyclase activity. These results suggest that the positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of TJ-1, TJ-20, TJ- 105 and TJ-113 may be exerted through the direct stimulation of the beta-adrenoceptor and/or the norepinephrine release from the postganglionic nerve terminals in the heart.     

Profile of coronary vasodilator and cardiac actions of bepridil revealed by use of isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations of the dog

We investigated the coronary vasodilator and cardiac actions of bepridil in various isolated, blood-perfused dog heart preparations. Intra-arterial bepridil increased blood flow in all preparations. In sinoatrial (SA) node preparations bepridil decreased sinus rate and produced atrial standstill in large doses. In paced atrioventricular (AV) node preparations, bepridil injected into the posterior septal artery (which supplies the AV node) increased AV conduction time (i.e., AV nodal conduction time) and in large doses produced second- or third-degree AV block. In the same preparations, bepridil in large doses injected into the anterior septal artery (which supplies the His-Purkinje ventricular system) prolonged AV conduction time (i.e., intraventricular conduction time). In paced papillary muscle preparations, bepridil reduced force of contraction only in large doses. In spontaneously beating papillary muscle preparations, bepridil decreased the rate of automaticity and the force of contraction as well. The order of effectiveness of bepridil on the above cardiovascular variables is as follows: coronary blood flow greater than AV nodal conduction greater than SA nodal automaticity much greater than ventricular automaticity ventricular muscle contraction much greater than intraventricular conduction. The results indicate bepridil to have a pharmacological profile different from that of verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, nicardipine, or KB-944.     

Mutagenicity evaluation of KB-944, a new calcium antagonist, in the Ames bacterial system

Evaluation of the mutagenic activity of diethyl 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl) benzylphosphonate (KB-944) was performed using bacteria. The method consisted of mutagens or KB-944 with and without metabolic activation, and two bacteria; Salmonella typhimurium 5 test strains, TA 1535, TA 100, TA 1537, TA 1538 and TA 98, and Escherichia coli WP 2 uvr A. Results indicated that KB-944 had no mutagenic activity against S. typhimurium and E. coli.     

Chronotropic, inotropic, dromotropic and coronary vasodilator effects of bisaramil, a new class I antiarrhythmic drug, assessed using canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations.

The cardiovascular effects of a new class I antiarrhythmic drug, bisaramil, were examined using canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations. Bisaramil exerted negative chronotropic, inotropic and dromotropic effects as well as coronary vasodilator action, which are qualitatively the same as those of classical class I drugs. The selectivity of bisaramil for the intraventricular conduction vs the other cardiac variables was compared with that of disopyramide and flecainide. Bisaramil was the most selective for intraventricular conduction, while it was the least selective for ventricular muscle contraction. We conclude that bisaramil may become a useful antiarrhythmic drug with less cardiac adverse effects.     

Cardiac and systemic hemodynamic actions of the slow channel calcium blocking agent, KB-944

The effects of KB-944 (10-400 micrograms/kg/min, i.v.), a new slow channel calcium blocking agent, on myocardial oxygen utilization, regional myocardial perfusion and hemodynamics were measured in anesthetized dogs. KB-944 produced significant dose-related increases in coronary blood flow and decreases in heart rate, left ventricular systolic pressure, aortic blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance. At high doses, peak positive and negative dP/dt were both reduced and left ventricular end diastolic pressure increased. KB-944 reduced arterial-venous oxygen content difference across the heart while significantly increasing coronary blood flow. The pressure rate product, an index of myocardial oxygen consumption, was also reduced. KB-944 produced a uniform and dose-related increase in transmural tissue flow within the left ventricular free wall. These results indicate that KB-944, a new slow channel calcium blocking agent, is a potent peripheral and coronary vasodilator with negative inotropic and chronotropic properties and may be potentially useful in coronary artery disease or hypertension.     

Profile of cardiac and coronary vasodilator effects of MS-857, a novel cardiotonic agent, assessed in isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations of the dog

MS-857 is a novel orally active nonglycoside and nonsympathomimetic cardiotonic agent. Cardiovascular properties of MS-857 were assessed in isolated, blood-perfused papillary muscle, sinoatrial (SA) node, and atrioventricular (AV) node preparation of the dogs. MS-857 (0.3-100 nmol) was injected intraarterially (i.a.). In paced papillary muscles, the drug produced a dose-dependent increase in developed tension. In spontaneously beating papillary muscles, MS-857 was ineffective on the ventricular automaticity. The drug increased sinus rate in SA node preparations and shortened AV conduction time by accelerating AV nodal conduction in AV node preparations. In all preparations, MS-857 increased coronary blood flow. The drug produced no arrhythmia in all doses tested. At doses which MS-857 produced a 50% increase in developed tension of papillary muscle, the drug also produces coronary vasodilatation with minimal chronotropic and dromotropic effects. In having such a cardiovascular profile, MS-857 resembles both milrinone and MCI-154 among few cardiotonic agents.     

Cardiac versus coronary vasodilator actions of isobutylmethylxanthine in dogs: comparison with theophylline

Cardiac and coronary vasodilator effects of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and theophylline were compared in isolated, blood-perfused papillary muscle, sino-atrial (SA) node and atrioventricular (AV) node preparations of dogs. IBMX (1 nmol-1 mumol) and theophylline (30 nmol-10 mumol) were injected intra-arterially. In paced papillary muscle preparations, both agents increased the force of contraction. In spontaneously beating papillary muscle preparations, both agents increased the rate of ventricular automaticity. In SA node preparations, both agents increased sinus rate. In AV node preparations, both agents decreased AV conduction time only when they were injected into the artery supplying the AV node. In all preparations, both agents increased coronary blood flow. However, both agents were not homogeneously effective on these cardiovascular variables, but showed selectivity in the following order: Ventricular muscle contraction not equal to coronary blood flow greater than SA nodal automaticity not equal to AV nodal conduction greater than ventricular automaticity. These results indicate that IBMX and theophylline have almost an identical profile in their cardiac and coronary vasodilator effects. The two agents were different in that IBMX was 40-50 times as potent as theophylline in producing these effects. Thus, both agents appeared to express their cardiovascular profiles mainly through inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, although theophylline has been claimed to have additional actions.     

Cardiac effects of a selective rho-associated kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, assessed in canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations

Chronotropic, inotropic and coronary effects of Y-27632 ((+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride, monohydrate), a specific inhibitor of Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein serine/threonine kinase (ROCK), were assessed using canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations. Y-27632 slightly enhanced sinoatrial automaticity and significantly increased coronary blood flow, while it decreased ventricular contraction. The concentrations of Y-27632 needed to cause the currently observed changes were similar to those inhibiting ROCK in a previous in vitro study. These results suggest that the constitutional ROCK in the heart mainly regulates the ventricular contractility and coronary vascular tone rather than the sinoatrial automaticity.     

Antiarrhythmic effect of KB-944, a new calcium antagonist. A comparison with verapamil and diltiazem

Effects of diethyl 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)benzylphosphonate (KB-944), a new chemical class of Ca-antagonist, on three types of experimentally induced arrhythmias were evaluated and compared with those of verapamil and diltiazem. KB-944 at 0.02 to 0.1 mg/kg (i.v.) effectively reversed ventricular arrhythmias induced by a continuous infusion of ouabain into guinea-pigs, and its effect was 2 times more potent than that of diltiazem and 5 times less potent than that of verapamil. Epinephrine(adrenaline)-induced arrhythmias in guinea-pigs were prevented by an i.v. injection of KB-944 in doses of 0.025 to 0.2 mg/kg. KB-944 was approximately equipotent with diltiazem and 2 times less potent than verapamil. CaCl2-induced arrhythmias in rats were inhibited by KB-944 with rather high doses (ED50 2.6 mg/kg i.v.). The antiarrhythmic effect of KB-944 was 1.7 times less potent than that of diltiazem and 5 times less potent than that of verapamil. KB-944 was found to possess antiarrhythmic activities in animals qualitatively similar to those of verapamil and diltiazem.     

Comparative study of coronary vasodilator and cardiac effects of nitrendipine by use of isolated, blood-perfused dog heart preparations

The coronary vasodilator and cardiac effects of 3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl) -3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate (nitrendipine, Bay e 5009) were compared in isolated, blood-perfused sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node and papillary muscle preparations of dogs with i.a. administration. In all preparations nitrendipine increased (coronary) blood flow. In SA node preparations nitrendipine reduced sinus rate but the reduction remained only about 13% of the basal value even at the highest dose. The dose estimated to produce a 15% (nearly a half maximum) decrease in sinus rate was about 8 times the dose which doubled coronary blood flow. In AV node preparations nitrendipine prolonged AV conduction time when injected into the artery supplying the AV node but the prolongation remained only about 12% of the basal value even at the highest dose. The dose estimated to produce a 15% (nearly a half maximum) increase in AV conduction time was about 11 times the dose which doubled coronary blood flow. When injected into the artery supplying the His-Purkinje ventricular system of AV node preparations, nitrendipine was entirely ineffective on AV conduction. In paced papillary muscle preparations nitrendipine reduced force of contraction. The reduction, however, remained less than 50% of the basal value even at the highest dose. The dose estimated to reduce force of contraction by half was about 11 times the dose which doubled coronary blood flow. Nitrendipine was entirely ineffective on ventricular beating rate of spontaneously beating papillary muscle preparations. These results indicate that nitrendipine is highly vasoselective, and warrant its high efficacy as an antianginal drug.     

Coronary vasodilator compared to cardiac effects of PY 108-068, a new dihydropyridine vasodilator, on isolated, blood-perfused dog-heart preparations

We evaluated coronary vasodilator and cardiac effects of PY 108-068 on isolated, blood-perfused sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node, and papillary muscle preparations of dogs. PY 108-068 was administered intra-arterially (i.a.). PY 108-068 increased (coronary) blood flow in all preparations. In SA node preparations, the drug produced a decrease in sinus rate and, in large doses, atrial standstill. In AV node preparations, the drug produced an increase in AV conduction time. Large doses caused second- or third-degree AV block, but only when injected into the artery supplying the AV node. The doses producing a 15% (nearly half maximum) decrease in sinus rate or a 15% (nearly half maximum) increase in AV conduction time were two to three times the doses that doubled coronary blood flow. In paced papillary muscle preparations, the drug produced a decrease in the force of contraction. However, the dose required to reduce the force of contraction of the papillary muscle by 50% was about 30 times the dose that doubled coronary blood flow. The drug was entirely ineffective on rate of ventricular automaticity. We conclude that PY 108-068 is not likely to produce reflex tachycardia when administered systemically in coronary vasodilator doses.     

Presynaptic inhibitory actions of lignocaine in canine isolated, blood-perfused atrial preparations

1. Cardiac effects of lignocaine on sinoatrial nodal pacemaker activity and atrial contractility were investigated in five canine isolated, blood-perfused right atria that were perfused with heparinized blood from support dogs. The effects of lignocaine on responses to intracardiac nerve stimulation and administered acetylcholine and noradrenaline were also examined. 2. Lignocaine was injected into the support dog intravenously or administered selectively to the sinus node artery of the isolated atrium. At doses that did not produce significant depressor action (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg), lignocaine produced no significant changes in heart rate. A large dose of 10 mg/kg lignocaine caused significant depressor effects and slight bradycardia. Direct administration of lignocaine (0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10.0 and 30.0 mumol) into the sinus node artery of the isolated atrium consistently caused slight negative chronotropic and rather marked negative inotropic effects. 3. After treatment with a relatively large dose of lignocaine, electrical stimulation-induced negative chronotropic and inotropic responses were significantly inhibited in a dose-related manner, but positive chronotropic and inotropic responses were slightly depressed only at an extremely high dose of lignocaine (10.0 mumol). 4. Noradrenaline-induced positive chronotropic and inotropic effects were not modified by any doses of lignocaine used (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 mumol). Acetylcholine-induced negative chronotropic and inotropic effects were slightly, but significantly, depressed by 10 mumol lignocaine. 5. These results suggest that a relatively large dose of lignocaine has a dominant presynaptic inhibitory action, particularly on the parasympathetic component.     

Direct cardiac effects of a novel vesamicol receptor ligand, m-iodobenzyl-trozamicol, assessed in the canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations

MIBT, m-(iodobenzyl)trozamicol, is a recently discovered vesamicol analogue that can be used as a functional marker of cholinergic activity in the heart as well as the brain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of MIBT on sinus node automaticity, ventricular contraction, and coronary blood flow in addition to the action-potential duration of the ventricle by using canine isolated, blood-perfused sinoatrial node and papillary muscle preparations. Intracoronary administration of MIBT (1-300 microg) exerted negative chronotropic, inotropic, and coronary vasodilator effects in a dose-related manner. Pretreatment of the preparations with the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine did not change these effects of MIBT. Moreover, MIBT had little effect on the repolarization phase of the ventricular action potential. Because the doses of MIBT needed for imaging cardiac cholinergic function were much lower than those affecting the cardiovascular system, MIBT may be used safely in future clinical applications.     

Comparison of cardiovascular effects of a new calcium channel blocker AH-1058 with those of verapamil assessed in blood-perfused canine heart preparations

The cardiovascular effects of AH-1058, a novel calcium channel blocker, were examined in comparison with those of verapamil using canine isolated, blood-perfused papillary muscle, atrioventricular node, and sinoatrial node preparations. Intravenous administration of AH-1058 (20, 50, and 100 microg/kg) or verapamil (20, 50, and 100 microg/kg) to the blood-donor dog induced negative inotropic, dromotropic, and chronotropic effects and a coronary vasodilator action in cross-circulated isolated heart preparations, simultaneously inducing the same cardiac effects in the blood-donor dog. The order of potency of the effects of AH-1058 was ventricular contraction > coronary blood flow > atrioventricular conduction > sinoatrial automaticity, whereas that of verapamil was coronary blood flow > atrioventricular conduction > sinoatrial automaticity > ventricular contraction. The cardiosuppressive effects of AH-1058, especially on ventricular contraction, were slower in onset and longer lasting than those of verapamil. These results suggest that this unique cardiovascular profile of AH-1058 may become beneficial for the treatment of certain pathologic processes, in which selective inhibition of ventricular calcium channels would be essential for drug therapy.     

The first demonstration of CGRP-immunoreactive fibers in canine hearts: coronary vasodilator, inotropic and chronotropic effects of CGRP in canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations

CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were histologically stained in the endocardium and perivascular layer of coronary vessels of canine hearts. To examine the physiological role of the CGRP in the heart function, effects of exogeneous CGRP on the hearts were studied using canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations. CGRP exerted dose-related potent vasodilator effects with a minimal increase in the developed tension of the papillary muscle, but slightly decreased the sinoatrial rate. The vasodilator effects were unaffected by the pretreatment of either atropine or propranolol. These specific functional effects on the coronary artery are well in accordance with the anatomical localization of CGRP. Taken together, CGRP seems to play an important role in the regulation of coronary vascular tone, while it has only a small functional role in inotropism and chronotropism in canine hearts.     

Pharmacokinetics of nicorandil, a new coronary vasodilator, in dogs

The kinetic disposition of nicorandil, N-[2-( nitroxy )ethyl]-3- pyridinecarboxamide (1), and its main metabolic product, N-[2-(hydroxy)-ethyl]-3- pyridinecarboxamide (II), was studied after administering intravenous and oral doses (2.5 mg/kg) of nicorandil to the same beagle dogs. The plasma concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The pharmacokinetic data derived from intravenous administration of nicorandil were: t1/2, 0.73 plus/minus 0.11 h; Vdarea , 0.67 plus/minus 0.04 L/kg; and total plasma clearance, 13.50 plus/minus 1.05 mL/min/kg. After oral administration, nicorandil was rapidly absorbed (tmax, 0.58 plus/minus 0.11 h). The oral bioavailability was calculated as 0.72 plus/minus 0.07. The metabolic formation of the corresponding alcohol after intravenous and oral administration of the parent compound appeared to occur quite efficiently, and its elimination half-life (3.09 plus/minus 0.25 and 3.69 plus/minus 0.88 h after intravenous and oral administration of nicorandil, respectively) was longer than that of the parent compound. Since the dose employed in this study was much higher than the expected therapeutic doses, whether such a good bioavailability after a lower dose of the drug would be obtained in humans remains unanswered.     

Effects of KB-2796, a new diphenylpiperazine calcium antagonist, on renal hemodynamics and urine formation in anesthetized dogs.

The effects of KB-2796, a new calcium antagonist with a diphenylpiperazine moiety, on renal hemodynamics and urine formation were investigated in anesthetized dogs. Intravenous infusion of KB-2796 (10, 30, and 100 micrograms/kg/min) decreased mean blood pressure (MBP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) in a dose-dependent manner, but did not change renal blood flow (RBF). At the highest dose, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine flow (UF) tended to decrease. Nicardipine (0.1, 0.3, and 1 microgram/kg/min) also dose-dependently decreased MBP, RVR, GFR, and UF. When KB-2796 was infused into the renal artery at lower doses of 3 and 10 micrograms/kg/min, UF and urinary excretion of electrolytes increased without a significant change in RBF and GFR. Intrarenal infusion of KB-2796 at 30 micrograms/kg/min and nicardipine at 0.3 microgram/kg/min produced a significant increase in GFR, RBF, UF, urinary excretion of electrolytes, and renin secretion rate. These results suggest that KB-2796 administered intrarenally exerts a diuretic action via tubular effects and the alteration of renal hemodynamics. However, its diuretic action might be masked by diminished urine formation via a reflex activation of the sympathetic nerves and/or via a reduction of renal perfusion pressure when it is administered systemically.