Based on the X-ray structure of the complex of Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-H (L-709049) and interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE), we synthesized compounds which were derived from 2-NapCO-Val-Pro-Asp-CH2OPh (1) to obtain a potent inhibitor in the cell assay. Among these compounds, (3S)-N-methanesulfonyl-3-[[1-[N-(2-naphthoyl)-L-valyl]-L-prolyl]amino]- 4-oxobutanamide (27c) showed high potency not only in the enzyme assay but also cell assay with IC50 values of 38 nM and 0.23 microM, respectively. Compound 27c, with a c log P value of 1.76, had a more hydrophilic character compared with 1. Compound 27c also dose dependently inhibited LPS-primed ATP-induced IL-1 beta release in mice. The crystal structure of the complex of compound 27c and ICE revealed that compound 27c had further interactions with ICE in the naphthoyl group at the P4 position and in the methyl group of the methanesulfonamidecarbonyl group at the P1 position, compared with L-709049. To our knowledge, compound 27c is the first example that shows a strong inhibitory activity without the carboxyl group at the P1 position.

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7,8-Dihydroxy-4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1) and 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-8-methyl-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (2) are potent renal vasodilators which selectively stimulate DA1 (peripheral dopamine receptor-1) receptors. Especially, (S)-(-)-1 is the most potent. Its DA1 agonist activity is about 10 times stronger than dopamine for increasing renal blood flow in anesthetized dogs. The renal and cardiovascular effects of (S)-(-)-1 may be suitable for the treatment of patients with renal insufficiency, heart failure and hypertension.

The equilibria of complexation reactions of dioxo[16]aneN5, dioxo[18]aneN6, and their related compounds with copper(II) ions were determined potentiometrically. Making a sharp contrast to the 13–15-membered monocyclic dioxotetramine system, they interact with copper(II) ions in their neutral and doubly deprotonated forms, L and H−2L2−, yielding stable CuL2+ and CuH−2L0 complexes.