4-Aryl-3-(mercapto)quinolin-2-ones: novel maxi-K channel opening relaxants of corporal smooth muscle

Potassium channelopathies associated with epilepsy-related syndromes and directions for therapeutic intervention

A number of mutations to members of several CNS potassium (K) channel families have been identified which result in rare forms of neonatal onset epilepsy, or syndromes of which one prominent characteristic is a form of epilepsy. Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions or Seizures (BFNC or BFNS), also referred to as Self-Limited Familial Neonatal Epilepsy (SeLNE), results from mutations in 2 members of the K_V7 family (KCNQ) of K channels; while generally self-resolving by about 15 weeks of age, these mutations significantly increase the probability of generalized seizure disorders in the adult, in some cases they result in more severe developmental syndromes. Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures (EIMSF), or Migrating Partial Seizures of Infancy (MMPSI), is a rare severe form of epilepsy linked primarily to gain of function mutations in a member of the sodium-dependent K channel family, KCNT1 or SLACK. Finally, KCNMA1 channelopathies, including Liang-Wang syndrome (LIWAS), are rare combinations of neurological symptoms including seizure, movement abnormalities, delayed development and intellectual disabilities, with Liang-Wang syndrome an extremely serious polymalformative syndrome with a number of neurological sequelae including epilepsy. These are caused by mutations in the pore-forming subunit of the large-conductance calcium-activated K channel (BK channel) KCNMA1. The identification of these rare but significant channelopathies has resulted in a resurgence of interest in their treatment by direct pharmacological or genetic modulation. We will briefly review the genetics, biophysics and pharmacology of these K channels, their linkage with the 3 syndromes described above, and efforts to more effectively target these syndromes.

Ion Channels and Intracellular Calcium Signalling in Corpus Cavernosum

The corpus cavernosum smooth muscle is important for both erection of the penis and for maintaining penile flaccidity. Most of the time, the smooth muscle cells are in a contracted state, which limits filling of the corpus sinuses with blood. Occasionally, however, they relax in a co-ordinated manner, allowing filling to occur. This results in an erection. When contractions of the corpus cavernosum are measured, it can be deduced that the muscle cells work together in a syncytium, for not only do they spontaneously contract in a co-ordinated manner, but they also synchronously relax. It is challenging to understand how they achieve this.In this review we will attempt to explain the activity of the corpus cavernosum, firstly by summarising current knowledge regarding the role of ion channels and how they influence tone, and secondly by presenting data on the intracellular Ca²⁺ signals that interact with the ion channels. We propose that spontaneous Ca²⁺ waves act as a primary event, driving transient depolarisation by activating Ca²⁺-activated Cl^- channels. Depolarisation then facilitates Ca²⁺ influx via L-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels. We propose that the spontaneous Ca²⁺ oscillations depend on Ca²⁺ release from both ryanodine- and inositol trisphosphate (IP₃)-sensitive stores and that modulation by signalling molecules is achieved mainly by interactions with the IP₃-sensitive mechanism. This pacemaker mechanism is inhibited by nitric oxide (acting through cyclic GMP) and enhanced by noradrenaline. By understanding these mechanisms better, it might be possible to design new treatments for erectile dysfunction.

AlCl3-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization of N-Arylpropynamides with N-Sulfanylsuccinimides: Divergent Synthesis of 3-Sulfenyl Quinolin-2-ones and Azaspiro[4,5]trienones

Switchable ortho/ipso-cyclization of N-arylpropynamides induced with N-sulfanylsuccinimides as general sulfur reagents is reported. In the presence of MeOH, para-fluoro N-arylpropynamides exclusively undergo the ipso-cyclization to give 3-sulfenyl azaspiro[4,5]trienones. Two kinds of bioactive heterocycles, benzothieno-[3,2-b]quinoline and -[2,3-c]quinolone, have been directly and efficiently prepared from the corresponding sulfenylated products.

Effect of a novel BKCa opener on BKCa currents and contractility of the rabbit corpus cavernosum

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels are thought to play a key role in the regulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) excitability. Few BKCa channel openers have been accepted for clinical development. The effect of the novel BKCa channel opener GoSlo-SR5-130 on electrical activity in isolated rabbit CCSM cells and mechanical activity in strips of rabbit CCSM was examined. Single-channel currents were observed in inside-out patches. These channels were sensitive to Ca2+, blocked by penitrem A, and had a conductance of 291 ± 20 pS ( n = 7). In the presence of GoSlo-SR5-130, the number of open BKCa channels increased. Using voltage-ramp protocols, GoSlo-SR5-130 caused currents to activate at more negative potentials in a concentration-dependent manner, shifting the half-maximal activation voltage potential to the left on the voltage axis. Therefore, BKCa channels were open within the physiological range of membrane potentials in the presence of GoSlo-SR5-130. GoSlo-SR5-130 also resulted in an increase in the activity of spontaneous transient outward currents in myocytes isolated from CCSM, and this effect was reversed by iberiotoxin. In current-clamp mode, GoSlo-SR5-130 hyperpolarized the cell membrane. Isometric tension recording of strips of rabbit corpus cavernosum showed that GoSlo-SR5-130 inhibited spontaneous contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was reversed in the presence of iberiotoxin, suggesting that GoSlo-SR5-130 exerts its effect through BKCa channels. These findings suggest that GoSlo-SR5-130 is an effective tool for the study of BKCa channels and that these channels can modulate CCSM activity and are possible targets for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Potassium channels in peripheral pain pathways: expression, function and therapeutic potential

Electrical excitation of peripheral somatosensory nerves is a first step in generation of most pain signals in mammalian nervous system. Such excitation is controlled by an intricate set of ion channels that are coordinated to produce a degree of excitation that is proportional to the strength of the external stimulation. However, in many disease states this coordination is disrupted resulting in deregulated peripheral excitability which, in turn, may underpin pathological pain states (i.e. migraine, neuralgia, neuropathic and inflammatory pains). One of the major groups of ion channels that are essential for controlling neuronal excitability is potassium channel family and, hereby, the focus of this review is on the K+ channels in peripheral pain pathways. The aim of the review is threefold. First, we will discuss current evidence for the expression and functional role of various K+ channels in peripheral nociceptive fibres. Second, we will consider a hypothesis suggesting that reduced functional activity of K+ channels within peripheral nociceptive pathways is a general feature of many types of pain. Third, we will evaluate the perspectives of pharmacological enhancement of K+ channels in nociceptive pathways as a strategy for new analgesic drug design.

Ca2+ -activated K+ channel (KCa) stimulation improves relaxant capacity of PDE5 inhibitors in human penile arteries and recovers the reduced efficacy of PDE5 inhibition in diabetic erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We have evaluated the influence of calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa ) activation on cGMP-mediated relaxation in human penile tissues from non-diabetic and diabetic patients, and on the effects of PDE5 inhibitors on erectile responses in control and diabetic rats.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cavernosal tissues were collected from organ donors and from patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Relaxations of corpus cavernosum strips (HCC) and penile resistance arteries (HPRA) obtained from these specimens were evaluated. Intracavernosal pressure (ICP) increases to cavernosal nerve electrical stimulation were determined in anaesthetized diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

KEY RESULTS

Concentration-dependent vasodilation to the PDE5 inhibitor, sildenafil, in HPRA was sensitive to endothelium removal, NO/cGMP pathway inhibition and KCa blockade. Accordingly, activation of KCa with NS-8 (10 μM) significantly potentiated sildenafil-induced relaxations in HPRA (EC50 0.49 ± 0.22 vs. 5.21 ± 0.63 μM). In HCC, sildenafil-induced relaxation was unaffected by KCa blockade or activation. Potentiating effects in HPRA were reproduced with an alternative PDE5 inhibitor (tadalafil) and KCa activator (NS1619) and prevented by removing the endothelium. Large-conductance KCa (BK) and intermediate-conductance KCa (IK) contribute to NS-8-induced effects and were immunodetected in human and rat penile arteries. NS-8 potentiated sildenafil-induced enhancement of erectile responses in rats. Activation of KCa recovered the impaired relaxation to sildenafil in diabetic HPRA while sildenafil completely reversed diabetes-induced ED in rats only when combined with KCa activation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Activation of KCa improves vasodilatory capacity of PDE5 inhibitors in diabetic and non-diabetic HPRA, resulting in the recovery of erectile function in diabetic rats. These results suggest a therapeutic potential for KCa activation in diabetic ED.

Involvement of large-conductance Ca(2+) -activated K(+) channels in both nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization-type relaxation in human penile small arteries

Large-conductance Ca(2+) -activated K(+) channels (BKC a ), located on the vascular smooth muscle, play an important role in regulation of vascular tone. In penile corpus cavernosum tissue, opening of BKC a channels leads to relaxation of corporal smooth muscle, which is essential during erection; however, there is little information on the role of BKC a channels located in penile vascular smooth muscle. This study was designed to investigate the involvement of BKC a channels in endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation of human intracavernous penile arteries. In human intracavernous arteries obtained in connection with transsexual operations, change in isometric force was recorded in microvascular myographs, and endothelium-dependent [nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH)-type] and endothelium-independent (NO-donor) relaxations were measured in contracted arteries. In penile small arteries contracted with phenylephrine, acetylcholine evoked NO- and EDH-type relaxations, which were sensitive to iberiotoxin (IbTX), a selective blocker of BKC a channels. Iberiotoxin also inhibited relaxations induced by a NO-donor, sodium nitroprusside. NS11021, a selective opener of BKC a channels, evoked pronounced relaxations that were inhibited in the presence of IbTX. NS13558, a BKC a -inactive analogue of NS11021, failed to relax human penile small arteries. Our results show that BKC a channels are involved in both NO- and EDH-type relaxation of intracavernous penile arteries obtained from healthy men. The effect of a selective opener of BKC a channels also suggests that direct activation of the channel may be an advantageous approach for treatment of impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation often associated with erectile dysfunction.

An efficient synthesis of 4-arylquinolin-2(1H)-ones and 3-alkenyl-4-arylquinolin-2(1H)-one using a Pd/NiFe2O4-catalyzed consecutive Heck reaction

A convenient one-pot method for the synthesis of 4-arylquinolin-2(1H)-ones and 4-arylcoumarins has been described. The successive Heck reaction on substituted 2-iodoaniline and 2-iodophenol catalyzed by a Pd/nickel ferrite catalyst followed by in situ cyclization was the key step. The scope of this methodology was extended to the synthesis of bioactive 3-alkenyl derivatives of 4-arylquinolin-2(1H)-ones.

NS11021, a novel opener of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, enhances erectile responses in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK(Ca)), located on the arterial and corporal smooth muscle, are potential targets for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This study investigated whether NS11021 (1-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-thiourea), a novel opener of BK(Ca) channels, relaxes erectile tissue in vitro and enhances erectile responses in intact rats. The effects were compared with sildenafil, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Patch clamp was used to record whole cell current in rat isolated corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Isometric tension was measured in intracavernous arterial rings and corpus cavernosum strips isolated from rats and men, and simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and tension were performed in intracavernous arteries. Erectile response was measured in anaesthetized rats.

KEY RESULTS

In patch clamp recordings, NS11021 increased currents sensitive to the selective BK(Ca) channel blocker, iberiotoxin (IbTX) in SMCs, but did not modulate K(+) current in HUVECs. NS11021 reduced [Ca(2+)](i) and tension in penile arteries. IbTX inhibited the vasorelaxation induced by NS11021 and sildenafil in human erectile tissue. NS11021 and sildenafil but not vehicle increased erectile responses in anaesthetized rats, an effect which was abolished after pretreatment with tetraethylammonium.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

NS11021 leads to relaxation of both intracavernous arteries and corpus cavernosum strips primarily through opening of BK(Ca) channels. It is also effective in facilitating erectile responses in anaesthetized rats. These results suggest a potential for use of BK(Ca) openers in the treatment of ED.