GUANIDINES: FROM MOLECULE TO PRIMATE

Guanidine-like compounds have been investigated since the first observations of their therapeutic potential some 30 years ago in fields of cancer and virology. Guanidine-type compounds that reached clinical status include amongst others the potassium channel opener, pinacidil and the histamine H₂-receptor antagonists (e.g. cimetidine). Recent research on guanidines has focused on enzyme systems such as xanthine oxidase and nitric oxide synthase. Our studies demonstrated an in vivo cardioprotection effect of (N-(3,4,-dimethoxy-2-chlorobenzylideneamino)-guanidine: ME10092) in ischaemic reperfusion injury in the rodent. The present investigation in the normal non-human primate, Papio ursinus baboons showed cardiovascular negative chronotropic effects and transient decreases in blood pressure, which correspond to those observed in the in vivo cardioprotection studies in the rodent.