No abstract

A general synthetic approach to a novel series of cis-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydrobenzofuro[2,3-c]pyridin-6-ols is described together with their receptor-binding profile on opioid-receptor subtypes (mu, kappa, delta). In addition, their in vivo antinociceptive activity was assessed. A number of the analogues synthesized showed potent affinity for opioid receptors and have potent antinociceptive activity in a mouse phenylquinone abdominal stretching model. In addition, the SAR for nitrogen substitution in the above series is explored with respect to the overall opioid receptor subtype binding profile. In general it was found that substituents which enhanced mu and kappa binding affinity in the benzomorphan series had a similar effect in the benzofuropyridine series described in this manuscript. An overlap hypothesis topologically connecting the benzomorphan nucleus to the cis-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydrobenzofuro[2,3-c]pyridine nucleus is also presented.

It has been suggested that the neuroleptic-induced acute dyskinetic syndrome in monkeys may be a useful model of extrapyramidal dysfunction. Various drugs that have well-characterized effects on clinical extrapyramidal syndromes and on catecholaminergic, cholinergic, or GABAergic neurotransmission were assessed in dyskinesia-susceptible squirrel monkeys. Catecholamine depletors (alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, tetrabenazine) induced the syndrome, as do dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists, and d-amphetamine reversed the effects of tetrabenazine. The haloperidol-induced syndrome was reversed by the indirectly acting DA agonists amantadine and L-dopa. Neither of the DA autoreceptor agonist TL-99 or 3-PPP elicited this syndrome, suggesting that these agents lack extrapyramidal involvement. Anticholinergics reversed haloperidol-induced dyskinesias and the cholinomimetic arecoline was capable of inducing dyskinesias. When coadministered repeatedly with haloperidol, benztropine suppressed the emergence of susceptibility to neuroleptic-induced dyskinesias. These results confirm that the acute dyskinetic syndrome in the monkey is characterized by DA deficiency and acetylcholine excess. Diazepam and baclofen, which have been reported to have some clinical benefit in tardive dyskinesia, suppressed haloperidol-induced acute dyskinesias without causing gross motor depression. Pharmacological manipulation of GABAergic pathways from striatum may constitute a fruitful approach to the treatment of dyskinetic motor disorders.

In squirrel monkeys that had undergone repeated treatment with haloperidol at intervals of 7--14 days, subsequent acute administration of haloperidol induced dystonia and dyskinesias. This acute effect of haloperidol was dose-related and occurred at the same doses that impaired Sidman avoidance performance. Chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, metoclopramide, tetrabenazine, and Su-23397, all of which have been associated with extrapyramidal side effects, reliably elicited dyskinesias in these monkeys. Dyskinesias were less mared after thioridazine and absent after clozapine, corresponding to the reported lower incidence of extrapyramidal side effects in the clinic. The non-neuroleptics, baclofen, and diazepam, failed to elicit dyskinesias. In contrast to the dyskinetic syndrome, the incidence of catalepsy or tremor did not accurately predict propensity to elicit extrapyramidal symptomatology. The acute dyskinetic syndrome in squirrel monkeys may therefore serve as an animal model for predicting the ability of antipsychotics to cause extrapyramidal dysfunction, and may yield insight into the mechanisms of these drug-induced motor disorders.

Isamoltane (CGP 361A; (1-(2-(1-pyrrolyl)-phenoxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol hydrochloride), a beta-adrenoceptor ligand (IC50 = 8.4 nmol/l) which has reported activity as an anxiolytic in man was found to be a reasonably active inhibitor of the binding of [125I]ICYP to 5-HT1B recognition sites in rat brain membranes with 27-fold selectivity (IC50 = 39 nmol/l) as compared to the inhibition of binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT to 5-HT1A receptors (IC50 = 1070 nmol/l). This selectivity was considerably greater than that observed for other beta-adrenoceptor ligands including propranolol (5-HT1A/5-HT1B ratio = 2), oxpenolol (3.5) and cyanopindolol (8.7). The 5-HT1B activity of the compound resided in the (-)-enantiomer. (-)-Isamoltane had weak activity (IC50 3-10 mumol/l) at 5-HT2 and alpha 1-adrenoceptors. The compound was devoid of activity at a number of other central neurotransmitter recognition sites including the 5-HT1C site. Isamoltane increased the electrically evoked release of [3H]5-HT from prelabeled rat cortical slices in a manner similar to that of cyanopindolol. While both compounds were similar in potency to methiothepin, they had lower efficacy. Oxprenolol was less potent that both isamoltane and cyanopindolol while propranolol was essentially inactive. The effects of the compounds on 5-HT release appeared to be correlated with their 5-HT1B rather than 5-HT1A activity. In vivo, isamoltane increased 5-HTP accumulation in rat cortex following central decarboxylase inhibition at doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg i.p. At higher doses this effect was gradually diminished. Similar, but less clearcut results were obtained with cyanopindolol and oxprenolol, but propranolol was ineffective. No changes in brain tryptophan levels were associated with the isamoltane-evoked changes in brain 5-HTP levels. In reserpinized animals, isamoltane reduced 5-HTP accumulation even at doses which enhanced accumulation of this metabolite when given alone. The effects of the putative 5-HT1B agonist, m-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), the mixed 5-HT autoreceptor agonist/antagonist/beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, pindolol, the 5-HT uptake inhibitor, CGP 6085A and the MAO-A inhibitor, brofaromine, were not antagonized by pretreatment with isamoltane. The possibility that isamoltane and the other beta-adrenoceptor antagonists are antagonists at 5-HT1B receptors and that their effect on 5-HT synthesis in vivo is the net result of their agonist/antagonist effects at 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors is discussed in relation to the potential mechanism of the anxiolytic activity of isamoltane.