Characteristics of vasoinhibitory action of FK 453 (a pyrazolo-pyridine derivative), a new antihypertensive agent with diuretic action in isolated rabbit aorta.

The vasoinhibitory effect of FK 453 was examined in isolated rabbit aorta. FK 453 inhibited contractile responses to norepinephrine, angiotensin-I and KCl. Pretreatment of the tissue with FK 453 failed to affect the relaxing effect of verapamil on the KCl response and the inhibitory effect of prazosin on the phenylephrine response. FK 453 inhibited both the residual norepinephrine response and the subsequent Ca2+ response in a Ca(2+)-free medium containing EGTA and nifedipine. The inhibitory effect of a combined treatment with either FK 453 plus nitroglycerin or FK 453 plus theophylline, but not with FK 453 plus M & B 22,948 (2-o-propoxyphenyl-8-azapurine-6-one; May & Baker), was much greater than that of any single treatment. Pretreatment with FK 453 also potentiated relaxing effects of nitroglycerin and isoproterenol on the PGF2 alpha response. The effect of a combined treatment with FK 453 plus theophylline, but not with FK 453 plus M & B 22,948, was much greater than that of any single treatment. FK 453 also inhibited the activity of phosphodiesterase from canine aorta to convert cyclic [3H]-GMP and cyclic [3H]-AMP to 5'-GMP and 5'-AMP, respectively. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of FK 453 is not due to inhibition of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels or alpha-adrenoceptors, but due to increase in cyclic GMP level.