New Potent Azomethine Prodrugs of the Histamine H3-Receptor Agonist (R)-α-Methylhistamine Containing a Heteroarylphenyl Partial Structure

The therapeutic value of histamine H₃-receptor ligands is under current investigation. On the basis of recently described diaryl imine prodrugs of the histamine H₃-receptor agonist (R)-α-methyl-histamine ( 1 ) a series of new azomethine prodrugs containing five- and six-membered heterocycles were synthesized and tested for their in vitro hydrolysis rates and in vitro activity after oral application. It was found that electron-deficient six-membered heterocycles drastically destabilized the imine double bond so that these prodrugs decomposed unsuitably fast. On the contrary, prodrugs containing five-membered heterocycles appeared to be highly effective for the CNS delivery of 1 , and a remarkable correlation between chemical structure and pharmacokinetic profile was observed. Particularly (R)-4-fluoro-2-[[N-[1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-propyl]imino](1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methyl]phenol ( 8c ), the 2-furanyl analogue 8d , and its 3-furanyl isomer 8e proved to be equipotent to the most potent of recently described halogenated diaryl imine prodrugs of 1. However, in contrast to any other azomethine prodrug, 8c exhibited an incomparably long lasting delivery of 1 in the CNS and can thus be regarded as a ‘retard’ prodrug. Assuming that a therapeutic indication of histamine H₃-receptor agonists will soon be established, these highly potent heteroarylphenyl azomethine prodrugs, which already serve as valuable pharmacological tools, may also become potential drugs in clinical use.     

Histamine H3 receptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline release in pig retina discs

Summary Discs of pig retina were preincubated with ³H-noradrenaline, ³H-dopamine or ³H-serotonin and then superfused. Electrical field stimulation increased the outflow of tritium from discs preincubated with ³H-noradrenaline or ³H-dopamine, but no from discs preincubated with ³H-serotonin. The tritium content at the end of superfusion was similar in discs preincubated with ³H-noradrenaline or ³H-dopamine but about tenfold lower in discs preincubated with ³H-serotonin. The tritium content in discs preincubated with ³H-noradrenaline was markedly reduced when desipramine was present during preincubation but was not affected by selective inhibitors of dopamine and serotonin uptake. The tritium content in discs preincubated with 3Hdopamine and ³H-serotonin, in contrast, was reduced or tended to be reduced by a selective dopamine and serotonin uptake inhibitor, respectively.The electrically evoked overflow of tritium from discs preincubated with ³H-noradrenaline was abolished by tetrodotoxin or omission of Ca²⁺. In discs superfused with desipramine, the electrically evoked overflow was enhanced by phentolamine but not affected by histamine. When both desipramine and phentolamine were present in the superfusion medium, histamine inhibited the evoked overflow (pIC₁₅ 6.85). This effect was mimicked by the histamine H₃ receptor agonist R-(–)--methylhistamine as well as by its S-(+)-enantiomer (pIC₁₅ 7.85 and 5.30, respectively) but not by the H₁ receptor agonist 2-(2-thiazolyl)ethylamine and the H₂ receptor agonist dimaprit (each 10 mol/l). The inhibitory effect of histamine was abolished by the H₃ receptor antagonist thioperamide 0.32 mol/l and attenuated by impromidine 3.2 mol/l but not affected by the H₁ receptor antagonist dimetindene 3.2 mol/l and the H₂ receptor antagonist ranitidine 10 mol/l.The results suggest that, in the pig retina, noradrenaline is taken up into, and released from, noradrenergic neurones (most likely vascular postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibres, less probably tissue-specific noradrenergic neurones of the retina) and that noradrenaline release is subject to modulation via H₃ receptors and probably also a-adrenoceptors.Send offprint requests to E. Schlicker at the above address     

Effects of iodoproxyfan,a potent and selective histamine H3 receptor antagonist,onα 2 and 5-HT3 receptors

We determined the affinity and/or potency of the novel H₃ receptor antagonist iodoproxyfan at ₂ and 5-HT₃ receptors. Iodoproxyfan and rauwolscine (a reference ₂ ligand) (i) monophasically displaced³H-rauwolscine binding to rat brain cortex membranes (pK_i 6.79 and 8.59); (ii) facilitated the electrically evoked tritium overflow from superfused mouse brain cortex slices preincubated with³H-noradrenaline (pEC₅₀ 6.46 and 7.91) and (iii) produced rightward shifts of the concentration-response curve (CRC) of (unlabelled) noradrenaline for its inhibitory effect on the evoked overflow (pA₂ 6.65 and 7.88). In the guinea-pig ileum, iodoproxyfan 6.3µmol/l failed to evoke a contraction by itself but depressed the maximum of the CRC of 5-hydroxytryptamine (pD₂ 5.24). Tropisetron (a reference 5-HT₃ antagonist) produced rightward shifts of the CRC of 5-hydroxytryptamine (pA₂ 7.84). In conclusion, the affinity/potency of iodoproxyfan at H₃ receptors (range 8.3-9.7 [1]) exceeds that at ₂ receptors by at least 1.5 log units and that at 5-HT₃ receptors by at least 3 log units.     

Effects of the novel H1 agonists 2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)- and 2-(3-bromophenyl)histamine and of 2-(2-thiazolyl)ethylamine on cardiovascular paramenters in the pithed rat

The effect of the newly synthetized H₁ agonists 2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)histamine (2-TFMPH) and 2-(3-bromophenyl)histamine (2-BPH) and of the reference compound 2-(2-thiazolyl)ethylamine (2-TEA) on diastolic blood pressure and heart rate was studied in pithed and vagotomized rats. 2-TFMPH and 2-BPH were at least equipotent with 2-TEA in producinga dimethindene-sensitive, short-lasting vasodepressor response. At the highest dose, 2-TFMPH and 2-BPH produced an additional small vasopressor response, which was followed by a long-lasting vasodepressor effect not counteracted by dimethindene and ranitidine 2-TEA, at the highest dose, induced an additional vasopressor response abolished by prazosin plus rauwolscine. Basal heart rate was increased by 2-TEA (in a desipramine-sensitive manner) but not affected by 2-TFMPH or 2-BPH. In conclusion, 2-TFMPH and 2-BPH are potent H₁ agonists, devoid of an indirect sympathomimetic effect; at high doses, they produce a vasodepressor response not mediated via histamine receptors.Recipient of a fellowship provided by the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (Bonn, Germany)     

Iodoaminopotentidine and related compounds: a new class of ligands with high affinity and selectivity for the histamine H2 receptor.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a new class of histamine H2 antagonists with N-cyano-N'-[omega-[3-(1-piperidinylmethyl)phenoxy] alkyl]guanidine partial structure are described as part of an extensive research program to find model compounds for the development of new radioligands with high H2 affinity and specific activity. High receptor affinity is achieved by an additional (substituted) aromatic ring, which is connected with the third guanidine N by a carbon chain spacer and an amine, carboxamide, ester, or sulfonamide link ("polar group"). In functional studies for H2 antagonistic activity and other pharmacological actions [e.g. H1 antihistaminic, antimuscarinic, antiadrenergic (alpha 1, beta 1), 5-HT2 blocking activity] in the isolated guinea pig atrium and ileum and rat aorta and tail artery, the compounds proved to be highly potent and selective histamine H2 receptor antagonists. The H2 antagonistic activity is mainly depending on the length of both the N'-alkyl chain (chain A) and the N"-spacer (chain B). Compounds with a C3 chain A and a C2 chain B are most potent in the preferred group of substances, i.e., the carboxamide series. A wide variety of substituents at the aromatic ring is tolerated, among them iodine, amino, and azido groups. These compounds are up to 32 times more potent than cimetidine in the isolated guinea pig right atrium. The replacement of the carboxamide by an ester group (44c) is well tolerated, while replacement of the cyanoguanidine by an urea group results in nearly 100-fold decrease in activity (46c,e). The iodinated benzamides are among the most potent H2 antagonists known so far. The [125I]-labeled form of 31f ([125I]iodoaminopotentidine, [125I]-N-[2-(4-amino-3-iodobenzamido) ethyl]-N'-cyano-N"-[3-[3-(1-piperidinylmethyl) phenoxy]propyl]guanidine) and its photolabile analogue 31h ([125I]iodoazidopotentidine, [125I]-N-[2-(4-azido-3- iodobenzamido)ethyl]-N'-cyano-N"-[3-[3-(1-piperidinyl-methyl)pheno xy] propyl]guanidine) proved to be useful probes for reversible and irreversible labeling of the histamine H2 receptor. Radioligand binding studies in guinea pig cerebral membranes revealed considerably higher H2 receptor affinity for 31f (pKi = 9.15), 31h (pKi = 8.58), and some analogues than functional experiments (guinea pig atrium), presumably reflecting an easier access to the H2 receptors in membranes.     

Antihistaminic drugs modify casein-induced inflammation in the rat

Introduction

All known antihistaminics may affect several inflammatory events, including chemotaxis, the survival of eosinophils, and the release of chemokines and cytokines from different sources, thus highlighting the potential for modulating chronic inflammation and immune responses. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of H₁–H₄ antihistaminic drugs in an acute model of casein-induced inflammation in rat.

Materials and methods

Inflammation was induced by injection of a 12% solution of casein into the peritoneal cavity of male Wistar rats. The rats were treated intraperitoneally with pyrilamine maleate (10 mg/kg), cimetidine (25 mg/kg), thioperamide maleate (2 mg/kg) or ciproxifan hydrogen maleate (0.14 mg/kg) twice: 2 hours prior and 4 hours after casein administration. The level of histamine in blood and chemiluminescence of stimulated and unstimulated PMNs was measured.

Results

The level of histamine in the casein-induced inflammation group was higher than in the control group. Treatment with pyrilamine and ciproxifan additionally increased the level of blood histamine during the inflammatory response. Peripheral blood neutrophils from rats with casein-induced inflammation tended to respond less to zymosan stimulation than the neutrophils in the controls. Selective H₁ and H₃ antagonists injected into the rats with casein-induced inflammation significantly increased the response of the neutrophils to zymosan (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Histamine produced or released into the blood in the course of experimental inflammation exerts its effects on the PMN-s via stimulation of H₁ and H₃ receptors.

     

Development of a new class of nonimidazole histamine H(3) receptor ligands with combined inhibitory histamine N-methyltransferase activity

In search of novel ways to enhance histaminergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system, a new class of nonimidazole histamine H(3) receptor ligands were developed that simultaneously possess strong inhibitory activity on the main histamine metabolizing enzyme, histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT). The novel compounds contain an aminoquinoline moiety, which is an important structural feature for HMT inhibitory activity, connected by different spacers to a piperidino group (for H(3) receptor antagonism). Variation of the spacer structure provides two different series of compounds. One series, having only an alkylene spacer between the basic centers, led to highly potent HMT inhibitors with moderate to high affinity at human histamine H(3) receptors. The second series possesses a p-phenoxypropyl spacer, which may be extended by another alkylene chain. This latter series also showed strong inhibitory activity on HMT, and in most cases, the H(3) receptor affinity even surpassed that of the first series. One of the most potent compounds with this dual mode of action is 4-(4-(3-piperidinopropoxy)phenylamino)quinoline (34) (hH(3), K(i) = 0.09 nM; HMT, IC(50) = 51 nM). This class of compounds showed high antagonist potency and good H(3) receptor selectivity in functional assays in guinea pig on H(1), H(2), and H(3) receptors. Because of low or missing in vivo activity of two selected compounds, the proof of concept of these valuable pharmacological tools for the supposed superior overall enhancing effect on histaminergic neurotransmission failed to appear hitherto.     

Endogenous histamine in the medial septum-diagonal band complex increases the release of acetylcholine from the hippocampus: a dual-probe microdialysis study in the freely moving rat

The effects of histaminergic ligands on both ACh spontaneous release from the hippocampus and the expression of c-fos in the medial septum-diagonal band (MSA-DB) of freely moving rats were investigated. Because the majority of cholinergic innervation to the hippocampus is provided by MSA-DB neurons, we used the dual-probe microdialysis technique to apply drugs to the MSA-DB and record the induced effects in the projection area. Perfusion of MSA-DB with high-KCl medium strongly stimulated hippocampal ACh release which, conversely, was significantly reduced by intra-MSA-DB administration of tetrodotoxin. Histamine or the H2 receptor agonist dimaprit, applied directly to the hippocampus, failed to alter ACh release. Conversely, perfusion of MSA-DB with these two compounds increased ACh release from the hippocampus. Also, thioperamide and ciproxifan, two H3 receptor antagonists, administered into MSA-DB, increased the release of hippocampal ACh, whereas R-alpha-methylhistamine, an H3 receptor agonist, produced the opposite effect. The blockade of MSA-DB H2 receptors, caused by local perfusion with the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine, moderated the spontaneous release of hippocampal ACh and antagonized the facilitation produced by H3 receptor antagonists. Triprolidine, an H1 receptor antagonist, was without effect. Moreover, cells expressing c-fos immunoreactivity were significantly more numerous in ciproxifan- or thioperamide-treated rats than in controls, although no colocalization of anti-c-fos and anti-ChAT immunoreactivity was observed. These results indicate a role for endogenous histamine in modulating the cholinergic tone in the hippocampus.