Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. VIII. Characterization of functional antagonism displayed by DuP 753, an orally active antihypertensive agent

In the spinal pithed rat, DuP 753, 2-n-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxy-methyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphe nyl-4-yl) methyl] imidazole potassium salt, inhibited competitively the pressor response to angiotensin II (AII), whereas saralasin showed a noncompetitive pattern of interaction. It did not alter the pressor responses to vasopressin and norepinephrine as well as the heart rate response to isoproterenol. In the anesthetized rat, DuP 753 did not affect the vasodepressor response to bradykinin. Given p.o. or i.v., DuP 753 did not lower blood pressure in conscious normotensive rats, but it inhibited the pressor response to AII but not to vasopressin. It lowered blood pressure in furosemide-treated normotensive rats. Unlike saralasin, DuP 753 did not cause a transient increase in blood pressure even at 100 mg/kg i.v. DuP 753 at 3.5 micrograms i.c.v. inhibited the pressor response to i.c.v. AII, whereas DuP 753 at 10 mg/kg p.o. did not, suggesting that a single p.o. administration of DuP 753 does not affect brain AII receptors which are accessible by i.c.v. injection. Our study indicates that DuP 753 is a p.o. active, nonpeptide, selective, competitive AII receptor antagonist.     

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists: insurmountable angiotensin II antagonism of EXP3892 is reversed by the surmountable antagonist DuP 753

Effects of 2-n-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphen yl-4- yl)methyl]imidazole, potassium salt (DuP 753), a surmountable angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist, on the insurmountable AII antagonism induced by 2-n-propyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4- yl)methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid (EXP3892) were examined. In the rabbit aorta, EXP3892 exhibited selective and insurmountable AII antagonism. DuP 753 at 10(-6) M, added before or after EXP3892, reversed partially the depressed AII maximal response caused by 10(-9) M EXP3892. Repeated washing of the rabbit aorta created with DuP 753 at 10(-6) M or EXP3892 at 10(-9) M did not restore completely the sensitivity to AII for at least 2 hr. In the pithed rat, EXP3892 showed selective and insurmountable AII antagonism. DuP 753 at 0.1 to 3 mg/kg i.v., given before or after EXP3892, reversed the reduced AII-maximal response induced by EXP3892 at 0.1 mg/kg i.v. We propose that DuP 753 by binding to the AII receptor induces conformational changes resulting in a reduction of the affinity of the receptor for coupling factors/transducer proteins, which causes surmountable antagonism. EXP3892 would diminish the binding capacity for coupling factors accounting for insurmountable antagonism. As DuP 753 and EXP3892 compete for the same AII receptor, the reduced AII-maximal response by EXP3892 may be reversed by DuP 753.     

In vivo pharmacology of L-158,809, a new highly potent and selective nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

L-158,809 (5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5yl)[1,1']-bi- phenyl-4-yl]-methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) is a potent, competitive and specific antagonist of AT1 subtype of angiotensin II (AII) receptors in in vitro radioligand binding and functional isolated tissue assays. The present study was carried out to characterize the in vivo pharmacology of this potent AII receptor antagonist. In conscious, normotensive and anesthetized pithed rats, L-158,809 inhibits AII (0.1 microgram/kg i.v.) elevations in blood pressure without altering pressor responses to methoxamine or arginine vasopressin. In conscious rats, the relative potencies (ED50) were 29 micrograms/kg i.v. and 23 micrograms/kg p.o. Duration of action with single i.v. or p.o. doses exceeded 6 hr in rats. In similar experiments using rhesus monkeys, the potencies of L-158,809 were 10 micrograms/kg i.v. and approximately 100 micrograms/kg p.o. In these rats and monkeys, L-158,809 was 10 to 100 times more potent than DuP-753 (losartan) and approximately 3 times more potent than the metabolite, EXP3174. AII-induced elevation of plasma aldosterone in rats was also inhibited by L-158,809. Unlike angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, L-158,809 did not potentiate the hypotensive responses to i.v. bradykinin. L-158,809 was antihypertensive in high renin hypertensive rats (aortic coarction) and volume-depleted rhesus monkeys. The maximum hypotensive responses with acute doses of L-158,809 were equal to those with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in these renin-dependent animal models. From these in vivo data, L-158,809 is a selective AII receptor antagonist with high potency, good p.o. absorption, long duration and antihypertensive efficacy equal to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition after single doses.     

Antihypertensive mechanism of captopril in renal hypertensive rats: studies with a nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist and an angiotensin II monoclonal antibody

The validity of using EXP6803, a nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist, and KAA8, an AII monoclonal antibody, as specific tools for studying the physiology of AII has been established previously. In this study, we used these specific probes to examine the role of blocking AII formation in the antihypertensive effect of captopril in conscious renal artery-ligated rats (RALRs), a high renin, renal hypertensive model. Mean arterial pressure and plasma renin activity in a typical group of RALRs averaged 175 +/- 5 mm Hg and 28.2 +/- 6.2 ng of angiotensin 1 per ml/hr (n = 6), respectively. The antihypertensive effect of captopril (3 mg/kg i.v.) was determined in RALRs given either EXP6803 (30 mg/kg + 2 mg/kg/min i.v.) or KAA8 (10 mg + 1 mg/min i.v. per rat) with the corresponding vehicle-treated RALRs. These doses of EXP6803 and KAA8 were very effective in blocking the pressor response to AII but not to norepinephrine or vasopressin in RALRs. Captopril decreased mean arterial pressure by 44 +/- 2 and 53 +/- 8 mm Hg in the groups treated with the vehicles of EXP6803 (n = 5) and KAA8 (n = 5), respectively. In the presence of EXP6803 (n = 5) or KAA8 (n = 5), the antihypertensive effect of captopril was almost or totally abolished. Indomethacin did not alter the antihypertensive effect of captopril. These results suggest that the antihypertensive effect of captopril in conscious RALRs is due mainly to the blockade of AII formation. Furthermore, circulating AII rather than locally formed AII appears to play a major role in maintaining hypertension in hypertension in RALRs.     

Pharmacology of DuP 532, a selective and noncompetitive AT1 receptor antagonist

DuP 532 (2-propyl-4-pentafluoroethyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)bip hen yl- 4-yl)methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid) inhibited the specific binding of [125I]angiotensin II (AII) for the subtype receptor AT1 in rat adrenal cortical membranes with an IC50 of 3.1 X 10(-9) M, but not the [125I]AII binding for the subtype AT2 sites in rat adrenal medulla tissues. It inhibited the contractile response to AII selectively and noncompetitively in the isolated rabbit aorta with a KB value of 1.1 X 10(-10) M. The selective AII antagonism was confirmed in the guinea pig ileum and the pithed rat. In conscious rats, DuP 532 inhibited the AII-induced pressor effect, aldosterone secretion, and water drinking induced by AII. In conscious renal hypertensive rats, DuP 532 decreased blood pressure with i.v. and p.o. ED30 of 0.02 and 0.21 mg/kg, respectively. The antihypertensive effect of DuP 532 at 0.3 to 3 mg/kg p.o. lasted for at least 24 hr. In conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats, DuP 532 given i.v. or p.o. at 0.3 to 3 mg/kg reduced blood pressure dose-dependently. DuP 532, at doses up to 100 mg/kg i.v., did not cause a pressor response in conscious normotensive rats, suggesting lack of agonism. DuP 532 exerted selective AII antagonism in conscious dogs. In conscious furosemide-treated dogs, DuP 532 given either at 0.3 and 1 mg/kg i.v. or at 1 to 10 mg/kg p.o. decreased blood pressure. As the AT1 receptors are responsible for AII-induced vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion, and water drinking, our study indicates that DuP 532 is a potent, orally active, selective, and noncompetitive AT1 receptor antagonist and antihypertensive agent.     

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. IX. Antihypertensive activity in rats of DuP 753, an orally active antihypertensive agent

In conscious renal artery-ligated rats, a high renin hypertensive rat model, DuP 753, a p.o. active nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist, decreased blood pressure at 0.1 to 3 mg/kg given i.v. or at 0.3 to 10 mg/kg given p.o. with an i.v. ED30 of given i.v. or at 0.3 to 10 mg/kg given p.o. with an i.v. ED30 of 0.78 mg/kg and a p.o. ED30 of 0.59 mg/kg. The antihypertensive efficacy of DuP 753 was similar to that of captopril. Unlike the peptide AII antagonist saralasin, DuP 753 did not cause a transient increase in blood pressure, suggesting absence of agonistic activity. At 3 mg/kg p.o., DuP 753 lowered blood pressure for at least 24 hr and did not change heart rate, suggesting a long duration of antihypertensive effect. At 3 mg/kg i.v., DuP 753 inhibited the pressor response to AII but not to norepinephrine or vasopressin. Pretreatment of renal artery-ligated rats with captopril, saralasin or propranolol, but not with prazosin, hydralazine or indomethacin, abolished or reduced the antihypertensive effect of DuP 753. In the deoxycorticosterone acetate hypertensive rat, a low renin model, DuP 753 did not lower blood pressure. These results suggest that DuP 753 is a p.o. active, antihypertensive agent in renal artery-ligated rats with a similar antihypertensive efficacy as captopril. The antihypertensive effect of DuP 753 is most likely related to the blockade of the vasoconstrictor effect of AII. Unlike saralasin, DuP 753 does not have agonistic activity.     

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. III. Structure-function studies

A series of 1-benzylimidazole-5-acetate derivatives defining the critical substituents on the phenyl ring was synthesized in order to improve on the affinity of 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-(2-nitrobenzyl)imidazole-5-acetate, sodium (S-8308) for the angiotensin II (AII) receptor. The analogs, substituted with -1-(4-carboxybenzyl) (EXP6155),-1-[4-(2-carboxybenzamido)benzyl] (EXP6159) and the 5-methylacetate of EXP6159 (EXP6803), were found to inhibit the binding of [3H]AII to AII receptors in rat adrenal cortical microsomes with 9-, 35- and 107-fold higher affinity, respectively, than that of S-8308 (IC50, 15 X 10(-6) microM). Scatchard analysis of the [3H]AII binding revealed that in the presence of EXP6155 (10(-6) M), the dissociation constant for AII was increased from 1.2 to 3.9 X 10(-9) M, whereas the total number of binding sites remained unchanged, suggesting a competitive nature of antagonism. A similar order of affinity or potency (saralasin much greater than EXP6803 greater than EXP6159 greater than EXP6155 greater than S8308) was observed in various in vitro and in vivo assays: rat smooth muscle cells AII binding, 45Ca++ influx in rat aortic rings, contractile response in isolated rabbit aorta and AII-induced pressor response in anesthetized rats. Responses (45Ca++ and contraction) elicited by norepinephrine or by KCl were unaltered by these agents at concentrations of up to 10(-4) M. In addition, they exerted no direct effect on the activity of rabbit angiotensin converting enzyme and rat renin. In conscious renal artery-ligated rats, EXP6155, EXP6159 and EXP6803 were p.o. inactive, but caused a rapid decrease in mean arterial pressure when administered i.v.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tissue kallikrein is involved in the cardioprotective effect of AT1-receptor blockade in acute myocardial ischemia

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors limit infarct size in animal models of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. This effect has been shown to be due to inhibition of bradykinin degradation rather than inhibition of angiotensin II formation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade by losartan or its active metabolite EXP3174 protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice and whether this protection is mediated by the kallikrein kinin system. We subjected anesthetized mice to 30 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion and evaluated infarct size immediately after reperfusion. Losartan (Los) or EXP3174 [2-n-butyl-4-chloro-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yI)methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid] were administered 5 min before starting reperfusion at dosages determined by preliminary studies of blood pressure effect and inhibition of angiotensin pressor response. Compared with saline, both drugs significantly reduced myocardial infarct size by roughly 40% (P < 0.001). Pretreatment of mice with the selective AT2 receptor antagonist PD123,319 [S-(+)-1-([4-(dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl)-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo(4,5-c)pyridine-6-carboxylic acid] did not affect infarct size in the absence of losartan but abolished the reduction in infarct size provided by losartan. In tissue kallikrein gene-deficient mice (TK-/-), losartan no longer reduced infarct size. Pretreatment of wild-type mice with the B2 receptor antagonist icatibant reproduced the effect of TK deficiency. We conclude that AT1 receptor blockade provides cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through stimulation of AT2 receptors. Kallikrein and B2 receptor are major determinants of this cardioprotective effect of losartan. Our results support the hypothesis of a coupling between AT2 receptors and kallikrein during AT1 receptor blockade, which plays a major role in cardioprotection.     

Pharmacological characterization of the nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist, SK&F 108566.

The angiotensin II (AII) antagonist activity of (E)-alpha-[[2-butyl-1-[(4-carboxyphenyl)methyl]-1H-imidazol-5- yl]methylene]-2-thiophenepropanoic acid (SK&F 108566), was examined in a number of in vitro and in vivo assays. In rat and human adrenal cortical membranes, SK&F 108566 displaced specifically bound [125I]AII with IC50 of 9.2 and 3.9 nM, respectively. SK&F 108566 also inhibited [125I]AII binding to human liver membranes (IC50 = 1.7 nM) and to rat mesenteric artery membranes (IC50 = 1.5 nM). In rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells, SK&F 108566 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of AII-induced increases in intracellular Ca++ levels. In rabbit aortic rings, SK&F 108566 produced parallel rightward shifts in the AII concentration-response curve without affecting the maximal contractile response. Schild analysis of the data yielded a KB value of 0.26 nM and a slope not different from 1, indicative of competition antagonism. SK&F 108566 had no effect on the contractile responses to KCl, norepinephrine or endothelin in rabbit aorta. In conscious normotensive rats, i.v. administration of SK&F 108566 (0.01-0.3 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent parallel shifts in the AII pressor dose-response curve. Administration of SK&F 108566 (3-10 mg/kg) intraduodenally or intragastrically to conscious normotensive rats resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of the pressor response to AII (250 ng/kg, i.v.). At 10 mg/kg, i.d., significant inhibition of the pressor response to AII was observed for 3 hr. In this same rat model, SK&F 108566 had no effect on base-line pressure or on the pressor response to norepinephrine or vasopressin. The data demonstrate that SK&F 108566 is a potent, highly selective, competitive nonpeptide AII antagonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The antihypertensive effect of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist DuP 753 may not be due solely to angiotensin II receptor antagonism.

The angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist, DuP 753 (10 mg/kg intraduodenal), produced a sustained and long-lasting antihypertensive effect in conscious renin-dependent hypertensive rats. Blood pressures were still reduced markedly 24 to 72 hr after administration of a single dose of DuP 753. However, pressor responses elicited by either angiotensin I or AII were not blocked at these times despite the continued antihypertensive effect of DuP 753. In a model of orthostatic hypotension, DuP 753 and the selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin produced a marked orthostatic hypotension response in renin-dependent hypertensive rats as demonstrated by potentiation of the decrease in blood pressure induced by a 90 degrees tilt. The nonpeptide AII receptor antagonist SK&F 108566 (10 mg/kg intraduodenal) did not produce orthostatic hypotension and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril produced only a slight orthostatic response to tilting. In conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), allowed 3 to 4 days to recover from surgery, administration of either enalapril (1 mg/kg i.v.) or SK&F 108566 (10 mg/kg i.v.) did not significantly effect blood pressure. In SHR tested within 24 hr of surgery, enalapril was effective in lowering blood pressure. In contrast, in surgically recovered SHR, DuP 753 (10 mg/kg i.v.) produced an antihypertensive effect that was slow in onset, sustained and extremely long in duration. Blood pressures did not return to predrug levels until 48 hr after administration of DuP 753. Stimulation of the thoracolumbar sympathetic outflow in pithed rats produced frequency-dependent pressor responses that were significantly potentiated by continuous infusion of a subpressor dose of AII.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Naloxone potentiation of cardiovascular responses to sympathomimetic amines in the rat

The work was aimed at analyzing the ability of naloxone to potentiate 1) the arterial pressure responses to sympathomimetic amines administered i.v. in normotensive anesthetized, pithed, chemically sympathectomized or acutely adrenalectomized rats and 2) the chronotropic responses to norepinephrine in the isolated rat atria. In anesthetized rats, naloxone (2.5-10 mg/kg i.v.) potentiated the pressor responses to epinephrine (2 micrograms/kg). Naloxone (5 mg/kg) significantly potentiated the pressor responses to norepinephrine (1-4 micrograms/kg), phenylephrine (10-50 micrograms/kg) and the reflex pressor responses to a 60-sec carotid occlusion. On the contrary, naloxone did not potentiate the arterial pressure responses to methoxamine (100 micrograms/kg), angiotensin (0.5-2 micrograms/kg) and isoproterenol (1 micrograms/kg). Pithing or acute adrenalectomy did not alter the naloxone-induced potentiation of the pressor responses to norepinephrine (0.125-0.5 micrograms/kg). 6-Hydroxydopamine pretreatment abolished completely the naloxone-induced potentiation of the pressor responses to norepinephrine (0.25-1 micrograms/kg). In isolated rat atria, naloxone (1.4 and 2.8 x 10(-5) M) potentiated the chronotropic responses to norepinephrine (1.5-6 x 10(-8) M). It is suggested that naloxone potentiates cardiovascular responses to sympathomimetic amines by interacting with presynaptic adrenergic mechanisms which could additionally contribute to its pressor effects in acute hypotensive conditions.     

Characterization of the functional antagonism and antihypertensive activity displayed by a monoclonal antibody to angiotensin II

In the present study, we have characterized the specificity and potency of KAA8, a monoclonal antibody displaying a high affinity for angiotensin II (AII), as a functional antagonist of AII in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we have studied its antihypertensive effect in the awake renal artery-ligated rat, whose elevated levels of plasma renin activity and sensitivity to captopril and saralasin define it as a renin-angiotensin system-dependent hypertensive model. Our results utilizing isolated rabbit aorta strips and pithed rats suggest that KAA8 is a specific AII functional antagonist because it selectively inhibited the AII response in these models without altering the effects of norepinephrine and vasopressin. In renal artery-ligated rats, KAA8, at 15 mg/kg i.v., decreased mean blood pressure from 148 +/- 3 to 119 +/- 4 mm Hg at 10 min postinjection (n = 9) and greatly inhibited the pressor response to AII but not to vasopressin. In contrast, a control immunoglobulin G1 molecule did not change mean blood pressure or influence the pressor effect of AII in this model. Pretreatment with captopril or saralasin, but not prazosin or hydralazine, blocked the antihypertensive effect of KAA8 in these renal hypertensive rats. These results suggest that the antibody KAA8 displays specific functional AII antagonism and, as such, may represent a specific probe for studying the physiologic roles of AII.     

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. VII. Cellular and biochemical pharmacology of DuP 753, an orally active antihypertensive agent

2-n-Butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-[2'-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)biphenyl-4-y l) methyl]imidazole, potassium salt (DuP 753) is a potent, p.o. active antihypertensive agent exerting its action by specific blockade of angiotensin II receptors. It inhibited the specific binding of labeled angiotensin II to its receptor sites in rat adrenal cortical membranes and in cultured rat smooth muscle cells with IC50 values of 19 and 20 X 10(-9) M, respectively. Functional antagonism was demonstrated by its blockage of angiotensin II (3 X 10(-8) M)-induced 45Ca++ efflux in rat aortic smooth muscle cells with an IC50 of 2 X 10(-8) M. In rabbit aorta, DuP 753 antagonized the contractile response to angiotensin II competitively with a pA2 value of 8.48 but had no effect on the responses induced by norepinephrine or KCl. In both in vitro and in vivo assays, no partial agonistic effect was detected even with concentrations of up to 10(-5) M. In addition, this agent (10(-5) or 10(-4) M) exhibited no direct effect on converting enzyme (rabbit lung) or renin (rat plasma). These data demonstrate that DuP 753, is a potent and highly specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist. This agent may be a useful experimental or therapeutic tool for interference with the renin-angiotensin system in health and diseases.     

Effect of captopril and the nonpeptide angiotensin II antagonists, SK&F 108566 and EXP3174, on renal function in dogs with a renal artery stenosis.

Treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor can result in acute renal failure in patients with a renal artery stenosis. In the present study the effects of the selective nonpeptide angiotensin II antagonists, SK&F 108566 ((E)-alpha-[[2-Butyl-1-[(4-carboxyphenyl)methyl]-1H-imidazol-5-yl] methylene]-2-thiophenepropanoic acid) and EXP3174 (2-n-Butyl-4-chloro-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-yl) methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid hydrochloride) (the active metabolite of DuP 753, losartan) were compared with the ACE inhibitor, captopril, in the anesthetized dog which had been uninephrectomized and the remaining renal artery clamped to reduce renal blood flow (RBF) by approximately 50%. All three agents resulted in dose-dependent reductions in mean arterial pressure (MAP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and RBF. The maximum responses to captopril and SK&F 108566 were similar with MAP, RBF and GFR all decreasing approximately 30%. EXP3174 also resulted in decreases in GFR and RBF of approximately 30%; however, there was a smaller (approximately 17%) decrease in MAP. The data indicate that the possible bradykinin enhancing activity of ACE inhibitors may not provide any moderating activity of ACE inhibitor-induced reduction in GFR observed in dogs with a renal artery stenosis.     

Functional studies of nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor subtype-specific ligands: DuP 753 (AII-1) and PD123177 (AII-2)

DuP 753 and PD123177 are two nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII)-specific ligands, which show high affinities for two respective and distinct subtypes of AII binding sites, i.e., AII-1 and AII-2 sites, respectively, in the rat adrenal gland, brain and uterus. The objective of this study is to identify the functions of these subtype binding sites in the adrenal, sympathetic ganglia, brain and vascular smooth muscle. In conscious rats, DuP 753 at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg i.v. but not PD123177 at 30 and 100 mg/kg i.v. inhibited the AII-induced aldosterone increase. In the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, DuP 753 at 10(-6) and 10(-4) M but not PD123177 at 10(-3) M blocked the AII-induced epinephrine secretion. In control and chemically sympathectomized pithed rats, the pressor and tachycardiac responses to AII were blocked by DuP 753 at 10 mg/kg i.v. but not by PD123177 at 100 mg/kg i.v. In conscious rats, DuP 753 at 10 mg/kg s.c. but not PD123177 at 100 mg/kg s.c. inhibited the AII-induced water drinking. In the rabbit aorta, DuP 753 at 10(-6) M but not PD123177 at 10(-4) M inhibited the contractile effect of AII. In conscious renal artery-ligated hypertensive rats, DuP 753 but not PD123177 at 0.1 to 10 mg/kg i.v. lowered blood pressure. In summary, a function of the PD123177-sensitive AII binding site (AII-2) has not yet been identified. However, the DuP 753-sensitive site (AII-1) appears to mediate the AII-induced responses such as adrenal aldosterone and catecholamine secretion, release of catecholamine from sympathetic ganglia, drinking and vasoconstriction.     

Ischemia promotes renin activation and angiotensin formation in sympathetic nerve terminals isolated from the human heart: contribution to carrier-mediated norepinephrine release

We recently reported that in the ischemic human heart, locally formed angiotensin II activates angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptors on sympathetic nerve terminals, promoting reversal of the norepinephrine transporter in an outward direction (i.e., carrier-mediated norepinephrine release). The purpose of this study was to assess whether cardiac sympathetic nerve endings contribute to local angiotensin II formation, in addition to being a target of angiotensin II. To this end, we isolated sympathetic nerve endings (cardiac synaptosomes) from surgical specimens of human right atrium and incubated them in ischemic conditions (95% N(2,) sodium dithionite, and no glucose for 70 min). These synaptosomes released large amounts of endogenous norepinephrine via a carrier-mediated mechanism, as evidenced by the inhibitory effect of desipramine on this process. Norepinephrine release was further enhanced by preincubation of synaptosomes with angiotensinogen and was prevented by two renin inhibitors, pepstatin-A and BILA 2157BS, as well as by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalaprilat and the AT(1) receptor antagonist EXP 3174 [2-N-butyl-4-chloro-1-[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl] methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid]. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of renin in cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals; renin abundance increased ~3-fold during ischemia. Thus, renin is rapidly activated during ischemia in cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals, and this process eventually culminates in angiotensin II formation, stimulation of AT(1) receptors, and carrier-mediated norepinephrine release. Our findings uncover a novel autocrine/paracrine mechanism whereby angiotensin II, formed at adrenergic nerve endings in myocardial ischemia, elicits carrier-mediated norepinephrine release by activating adjacent AT(1) receptors.     

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. I. Pharmacological characterization of 2-n-butyl-4-chloro-1-(2-chlorobenzyl)imidazole-5-acetic acid, sodium salt (S-8307)

2-n-Butyl-4-chloro-1-(2-chlorobenzyl)imidazole-5-acetic acid, sodium salt (S-8307) displaced [3H]angiotensin II (All) from its specific binding sites in rat adrenal cortical membranes with an IC50 of 4 x 10(-5) M. In rabbit aorta, S-8307 competitively inhibited the contractile response to All with a pA2 value of 5.49 but at 10(-4) M it did not alter the response to norepinephrine or KCI. Similarly, a specific AII antagonism was shown in vivo in the spinal pithed rat model. In anesthetized rats, S-8307 did not potentiate the bradykinin vasodepressor response. In renal artery-ligated rats, a high renin model, S-8307 decreased mean blood pressure at 10 and 30 mg/kg i.v. as well as at 100 mg/kg p.o. In anesthetized rats, furosemide enhanced the hypotensive effect of S-8307. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by captopril, saralasin or bilateral nephrectomy inhibited significantly but did not abolish completely the hypotensive effect of S-8307 in furosemide-treated rats. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin did not significantly reduce the hypotensive effect of S-8307. Our results identify S-8307 as a selective antagonist of AII receptors. However, at higher doses, mechanisms other than AII receptor blockade may partly account for its acute hypotensive effect.     

Sympathoadrenal stimulation, not endothelin, plays a role in acute pressor response to cyclosporine in anesthetized rats.

The possible role of sympathoadrenal stimulation and endothelin release in cyclosporine (CS)-induced hypertension was ascertained in intact and pithed rats. CS (20 and 40 mg/kg), administered by i.v. infusion over 10 min, produced a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure: 19 +/- 5 and 31 +/- 2 mm Hg in intact rats and 13 +/- 4 and 18 +/- 2 mm Hg in pithed rats. In intact rats, pretreatment with reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) or hexamethonium (10 mg/kg, i.v.) greatly blunted the pressor responses to CS (40 mg/kg) (7 +/- 3 and 11 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively). In pithed rats, the blood pressure responses to CS (40 mg/kg) were significantly impaired, but were not further modified by phenoxybenzamine (3 mg/kg, i.v.), whereas adrenalectomy completely abolished the CS-induced pressor responses (0 +/- 1 mm Hg). CS (40 mg/kg) did not potentiate pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation (0.1 and 0.3 Hz) or vasoconstrictors, including angiotensin II (0.03 microgram/kg, i.v.), phenylephrine (1 microgram/kg, i.v.) and arginine vasopressin (0.075 microgram/kg) in pithed rats. In addition, CS (40 mg/kg, i.v.) did not cause elevation of plasma immunoreactive endothelin-1 and -3. Furthermore, phosphoramidon (0.25 mg/kg/min x 30) abolished pressor response to big endothelin-1 (5 micrograms/kg, i.v.) but failed to affect CS-induced hypertension. It is concluded that the acute blood pressure response to CS manifests great dependence on sympathetic nervous system but appears independent of endothelin release.     

Concentration-dependent mode of interaction of angiotensin II receptor blockers with uric acid transporter

Serum uric acid (SUA) is currently recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It has been reported that an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), losartan, decreases SUA level, whereas other ARBs, such as candesartan, have no lowering effect. Because the renal uric acid transporter (URAT1) is an important factor controlling the SUA level, we examined the involvement of URAT1 in those differential effects of various ARBs on SUA level at clinically relevant concentrations. This study was done by using URAT1-expressing Xenopus oocytes. Losartan, pratosartan, and telmisartan exhibited cis-inhibitory effects on the uptake of uric acid by URAT1, whereas at higher concentrations, only telmisartan did, and these ARBs reduced the uptake in competitive inhibition kinetics. On the other hand, candesartan, EXP3174 [2-n-butyl-4-chloro-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yI)methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid] (a major metabolite of losartan), olmesartan, and valsartan were not inhibitory. Preloading of those ARBs in the oocytes enhanced the URAT1-mediated uric acid uptake, showing a trans-stimulatory effect. The present study is a first demonstration of the differential effects of ARBs on URAT1 that some ARBs are both cis-inhibitory and trans-stimulatory, depending on concentration, whereas others exhibit either a trans-stimulatory or cis-inhibitory effect alone, which could explain the clinically observed differential effects of ARBs on SUA level. Furthermore, it was found that such differential effects of ARBs on URAT1 could be predicted from the partial chemical structures of ARBs, which will be useful information for the appropriate use and development of ARBs without an increase of SUA.     

Pharmacological profile of TH-142177, a novel orally active AT1-receptor antagonist

Summary— The pharmacological properties of TH-142177 (N-n-butyl-N-[2'-(1-H-tetrazole-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]-methyl-(N-carboxymethyl-benzylamino)-acetamide), a novel antagonist of the angiotensin II (AII) AT₁ receptor, were studied in vitro and in vivo, and compared to those of losartan. In the rat isolated aorta, TH-142177 produced parallel shifts to the right of the concentration-response curves for AII-induced contractions without affecting the maximal response (pA₂ = 9.07). The inhibitory potency of TH-142177 in the aorta was about three times greater than that of losartan. TH-142177 completely inhibited the specific binding of [¹²⁵I]AII to AT₁ receptor in rat aortic membranes (K_i = 1.6 × 10⁻⁸ M), whereas specific [¹²⁵I]AH binding to AT₂ receptor in bovine cerebellum and human myocardium was not affected by concentrations of TH-142177 up to 10⁻⁵ M. Losartan also inhibited the [¹²⁵I] AII binding to rat aortic membranes ( K _i = 2.2 × 10⁻⁸ M). Following the intravenous administration to anesthetized normotensive rats, TH-142177 dose-dependently inhibited the increase in systolic blood pressure induced by an intravenous bolus injection of AII that was 1.5 times less potent than losartan. Furthermore, the oral administration of TH-142177 to conscious renal hypertensive rats exerted a dose-dependent reduction of systolic blood pressure without significantly effecting the heart rate. TH-142177 was at least three times more potent than losartan. These results demonstrate that TH-142177 is a potent and selective antagonist of AT₁ receptors and by oral administration has a long-lasting antihypertensive activity.