The year's new drugs and biologics--2007

This annual article presents new drugs and biologics that were launched or approved for the first time during the previous year. In 2007, 30 new medicines--this figure includes both drugs and biologics for therapeutic use as well as new diagnostic agents--reached their first markets. Drug repositioning continues to have a significant impact, with line extensions (new indications, new formulations and new combinations of previously marketed products) accounting for 45% of the new medicines launched in 2007. Several new features were introduced last year, and have been maintained due to a high level of interest from readers: a deeper insight into the three first-in-class drugs launched for the first time last year, providing a better understanding of their novel mechanisms of action; an analysis of the discovery and development periods for the year's new products; a comprehensive overview of drug repositioning as a strategy for extending the life span of medicines; and an analysis of the market for these new medicines. We also provide a brief glimpse at selected drugs and biologics which could reach their first markets in the foreseeable future.

Overcoming further challenges in the pharma/biotech industry: 2007 update

In the face of patent expirations at a time of declining innovation across the industry, companies are restructuring their research and development operations and are pursuing an aggressive strategy of acquisitions, licensing deals and research collaborations to boost their drug pipelines.

The year's new drugs and biologics--2006

This annual series presents new drugs and biologics that were launched or approved for the first time during the previous year. In 2006, 41 new medicines--this figure includes both drugs and biologics for therapeutic use as well as new diagnostic agents and, for the first time this year, an important new herbal medicine--reached their first markets. Drug repositioning continues to have a significant impact, with line extensions (new indications, new formulations and new combinations of previously marketed products) accounting for more than 20 of the new medicines launched in 2006. This year's edition of the article also includes several new features: a deeper insight into the five first-in-class drugs launched for the first time last year, providing a better understanding of their novel mechanisms of action; an analysis of the discovery and development periods for the year's new products; a comprehensive overview of drug repositioning as a strategy for extending the life spans of medicines; and an analysis of the market for these new medicines. New generic drug approvals are also reviewed, as well as a brief glimpse at selected drugs and biologics which could reach their first markets in the foreseeable future.

Characterization of antisecretory and antiulcer activity of CR 2945, a new potent and selective gastrin/CCK(B) receptor antagonist

The antigastrinic, antisecretory and antiulcer activities of CR 2945, (R)-1-naphthalenepropanoic acid,beta-[2-[[2-(8-azaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl-carbonyl)-4,6-dimethylph enyl] amino]-2-oxoethyl], were investigated in vitro and in vivo in rats and cats. Its activities were compared with those of two gastrin/CCK(B) receptor antagonists, L-365,260 (3R(+)-N-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin -3-yl)-N'-(3-methylphenyl)urea and CAM-1028 (4-[[2-[[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-oxo-2-[[[1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1]hept-2-yl)oxy]carbonyl]amino]propyl]amino]-1-phenylethyl]amino -4-oxo-[1S-1alpha,2beta[S'(S')4alpha]]-butanoate -N-methyl-D-glucamine), of the histamine H2 receptor antagonist, ranitidine, and the proton pump inhibitor, omeprazole. Cytosolic Ca2+ elevation in rabbit parietal cells induced by gastrin (50 nM) was blocked by CR 2945 with an IC50 value of 5.9 nM. CAM-1028 and L-365,260 showed similar activity. CR 2945 antagonized pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in rats (ED50 = 1.3 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 2.7 mg kg(-1) i.d.) and cats (1.6 mg kg(-1) i.v.). CR 2945 was slightly less potent than the reference compounds after i.v. administration, whereas after intraduodenal (i.d.) administration, it was more potent than both ranitidine and omeprazole. In the rat, the gastrin antagonism exhibited by CR 2945 was reversible and competitive, with a pA2 value of 7.33. CR 2945 had specific antigastrin activity, as it was unable to antagonize the gastric acid secretion stimulated by histamine or carbachol in rats up to the dose of 30 mg kg(-1). CR 2945 was about as efficacious as ranitidine against the indomethacin- and ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and the cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer in rats. On the contrary, L-365,260 was only slightly effective. These results suggest that CR 2945 might be a promising compound for the therapy of acid-related disorders, and that its clinical use could help clarify the therapeutic potential of gastrin/CCK(B) receptor antagonists in the gut.

CR 2945: a novel CCKB receptor antagonist with anxiolytic-like activity

The effects of CR 2945, an antranilic acid derivative member of a novel family of non-peptide CCKB receptor antagonists, have been compared with those of CAM-1028, an analogue of the CCKB receptor antagonist CI-988, L-365,260 a benzodiazepine derivative CCKB antagonist, CR 1795, an analogue of the CCKA receptor antagonist lorglumide and diazepam, a benzodiazepine receptor agonist, in several rodent screens sensitive to conventional anxiolytics. CR 2945 displayed nanomolar affinity for rat CCKB receptors and showed a selectivity ratio of about 9000 for the CCKB over the CCKA receptor. In ex-vivo binding studies, CR 2945, after i.v. and s.c. administration, inhibited the binding of [125I] (BH)-CCK8 in rat cortex homogenate with ID50s of 10.9 mg/kg and 13.5 mg/kg, respectively. In four rodent tests of anxiety (mouse black/white box, rat elevated plus-maze, rat elevated zero-maze and punished licking test in the rat) CR 2945 (0.1-10 mg/kg s.c. or orally) showed significant dose-dependent anxiolytic-like effects. The reference CCKB antagonist compounds CAM-1028 and L-365,260 showed an anxiolytic-like activity less robust than that of CR 2945 in the elevated zero-maze after s.c. administration, and these compounds were inactive in the elevated plus-maze after oral administration. The magnitude of the activity of CR 2945 was comparable to that of diazepam, but without signs of sedation and ataxia. Furthermore, a 7-day repeated treatment with CR 2945 at 10 mg/kg/day s.c. did not induce tolerance or withdrawal anxiety in rats. CR 1795 showed anxiolytic-like activity with a bell-shaped dose-response curve in the elevated zero-maze model in rats (0.1-10 mg/kg, orally and s.c.), whereas in the mouse black/white box test and in the rat elevated plus-maze test it was less effective. The results suggest that CR 2945 might be a promising alternative to the existing therapy of anxiety-related disorders.

Characterization of a novel putative cognition enhancer mediating facilitation of glycine effect on strychnine-resistant sites coupled to NMDA receptor complex

The effects of (S)-4-amino-5-[(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)amino]-5-oxo-pentanoic acid ((S)CR 2249), a new chemical entity selected among a series of glutamic acid derivatives, were investigated on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline from rat hippocampal slices. (S)CR 2249 facilitated glycine-mediated reversion of kynurenate antagonism at strychnine-insensitive glycine receptors coupled to the NMDA receptor. The potency of glycine (EC50 = 21.5 microM +/- 4.2) was not significantly influenced by (S)CR 2249. Nevertheless, the efficacy of the glycine effect was enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner (3-10-30 microm) by (S)CR 2249. The interaction of (S)CR 2249 with NMDA receptors was also studied with binding experiments, in which we examined the effect of (S)CR 2249 on the modulation by glutamate, glycine and spermine of [3H]dizocilpine (MK-801) binding. (S)CR 2249, increased [3H]MK-801 binding in a concentration-dependent manner and we found positive cooperative interactions between glycine and (S)CR 2249, indicating that (S)CR 2249 probably acts at a separate allosteric site to increase NMDA receptor functionality.

CR 2249: a new putative memory enhancer. Behavioural studies on learning and memory in rats and mice

The effects of S-4-amino-5-[4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid (CR 2249), a new entity selected from a new series of glutamic acid derivatives, has been investigated in different paradigms for screening nootropics. CR 2249 ameliorated the memory retention deficit produced by scopolamine in step-through-type passive avoidance in rats and by electroconvulsive shock in step-down-type passive avoidance in mice. CR 2249 was also capable of improving performance in behavioural tests of learning and memory in the absence of cholinergic hypofunction or cognitive deficit. The activity was determined using different passive and active avoidance behavioural test procedures on rats. CR 2249 was active only when given 45 min before training and did not show any effect when administered immediately after the learning training or before the retention trial. No changes in the general behaviour or motor activity of the animals were observed, indicating that CR 2249 effects cannot be attributed to sensory-motor deficit. Microdialysis experiments have shown that CR 2249 significantly increased noradrenaline release in the hippocampus of freely moving rats and reduced 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol efflux. These effects have led us to hypothesize that CR 2249 memory effect might be mediated by a direct or indirect action on noradrenergic transmission. These behavioural results suggest that this new agent has clinical application in memory disorders.

Cytosolic Ca2+ evaluation in rabbit parietal cells: a novel method to screen gastrin receptor antagonists

We have evaluated the application of the fura-2 method to detect cytosolic Ca2+ increase in gastric cells expressing CCKB/gastrin receptors, in order to screen gastrin receptor antagonists, as an alternative to functional studies. We have characterized the receptors on parietal cell suspension from rabbit gastric mucosa and validated the method using both the CCKB and CCKA receptor agonists and antagonists. Human gastrin I (gastrin) (0.1 nM-4 microM) and sulfated cholecystokinin 26-33 (CCK-8) (0.01 nM-2 microM) dose-dependently augmented cytosolic Ca2+. The efficacies of the two agonists were similar, but the potency of CCK-8 (EC50 1.03 nM) was about 10-fold greater than that of gastrin (11 nM). Response to a submaximal dose of gastrin (50 nM) was dose-dependently blocked by the CCKB-receptor antagonists CAM-1028 (4-[[2-[[3-(1 H-indol-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-oxo-2-[[[1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2, 2,1]hept-2-yl)oxy]carbonyl]amino]propyl]amino]-1-phenylethyl]amino-4-oxo -[1 S-1 alpha, 2 beta [S'(S')4 alpha]]-butanoate-N-methyl-D-glucamine) (IC50 1.9 nM), L-365,260 (3 R(+)-N-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1 H-1, 4-benzodiazepin-3-yl)-N'-(3-methylphenyl)urea) (IC50 10 nM) and spiroglumide ((R)-4-(3,5-dichlorobenzamido)-5-(8-azaspiro[4.5]decan -8-yl)-5-oxopentanoic acid) (IC50 2 microM). The results were in agreement with those obtained from binding studies in guinea-pig cortical membranes. The model was employed to optimize the synthesis of a new class of spiroglumide analogues which led to a new molecule, (S)-4-¿(R)-4'-(3,5-dichlorobenzoylamino)-5'-(8-azaspiro[4.5] decan-8-yl)-5'-oxo)-pentanoylamino-5-(1-naphthylamino)-5-oxo pentanoic acid (CR 2622), whose potency was about 100-fold greater than that of spiroglumide. CR 2622, as well as the other CCKB receptor antagonists tested, exhibited no effect on basal [Ca2+]i. The simplicity and the reproducibility of this method suggest that it is a useful model to screen gastrin and antigastrin activity in parallel or as an alternative to binding studies.

Structure-antigastrin activity relationships of new spiroglumide amido acid derivatives

A series of new spiroglumide amido acid derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the binding of cholecystokinin (CCK) to guinea pig brain cortex (CCKB receptors) and peripheral rat pancreatic acini (CCKA receptors), as well as to inhibit in vitro the gastrin-induced Ca2+ increase in rabbit gastric parietal cells. Appropriate chemical manipulations of the structure of spiroglumide (CR 2194), i.e., (R)-4-(3,5-dichlorobenzamido)-5-(8-azaspiro[4.5]decan- 8-yl)-5-oxopentanoic acid, led to potent and selective antagonists of CCKB/gastrin receptors. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. Some of these new derivatives, as, for example, compound 54 (CR 2622), i.e., (S)-4-[[(R)-4'-[(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-amino]-5'-(8- azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)-5'-oxo-pentanoyl]amino]-5- (1-naphthylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acid, exhibit activity 70-170 times greater than that of spiroglumide, depending upon the model used (IC50 = 2 x 10(-8) vs 140 x 10(-8) mol in binding inhibition of [3H]-N-Me-N-Leu-CCK-8 in guinea pig brain cortex and IC50 = 0.7 x 10(-8) vs 122.3 x 10(-8) mol in inhibition of gastrin-induced Ca2+ mobilization in parietal cells of rabbit, respectively). Computer-assisted conformational analysis studies were carried out in order to compare the chemical structure of both the agonist (pentagastrin) and the antagonist (54).

CR 2039, a new bis-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenylbenzamide derivative with potential for the topical treatment of asthma

The pharmacological activity of CR 2039 (4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-N-(4-[1H-tetrazol-5-yl]phenylbenzam ide)) a newly discovered antiallergic compound is described. CR 2039 administered i.m. or i.v. inhibited rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) with an ED50 of 0.1 mg/kg and a potency about 15 times higher than that of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). CR 2039 i.m., by aerosol or as dry powder insufflation, gave dose-related significant protection against IgE-dependent bronchial anaphylaxis induced by aerosolized antigen in anesthetized guinea-pigs. In conscious guinea-pigs CR 2039 given i.m. delayed dose dependently (ED50, 17 mg/kg) the onset of bronchoconstriction induced by aerosolized antigen, while DSCG was ineffective up to 100 mg/kg. The protection was accompanied by significant inhibition of the vascular permeability provoked by antigen challenge in all airway segments except trachea. CR 2039 (10-100 mg/kg i.v.) inhibited the microvascular permeability changes in a model of allergic conjunctivitis in sensitized guinea-pigs. CR 2039 inhibited dose dependently guinea-pig lung cAMP-phosphodiesterase with an IC50 of 50 microM.

Antiallergic and cytoprotective activity of new N-phenylbenzamido acid derivatives

A series of new N-phenylbenzamido acid derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat (PCA), as well as for their capacity to inhibit gastric mucosal damage induced by the oral administration of absolute alcohol in the rat. Some of these new derivatives exhibit potent antiallergic and cytoprotective activity, 20-80 times higher than that of the reference, disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). Structure-activity relationships are discussed. The antiallergic activity of one of the more potent compounds of this series, i.e. 4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-N-[4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]benzamide (compound 44, CR 2039) was further evaluated in vivo. This compound antagonizes the bronchoconstriction induced by aerosolized ovalbumin in both anesthetized and conscious IgE sensitized guinea pigs with ID50 of 3.7 mg/animal (tracheal insufflation) and 20 mg/kg (im). Further cytoprotective effects were evaluated in gastric ulcer models induced by the acute oral administration of hypertonic sodium chloride solution or by acetic acid and by the subchronic administration of glucose in fasted animals. In the models used experimentally CR 2039 is effective, whereas DSCG seems to be devoid of any protective activity. Such a potent antiallergic and mucosal protectant could provide a new potential agent in the therapy of atopic allergic diseases.

Characterization of antigastrin activity in vivo of CR 2194, a new R-4-benzamido-5-oxo-pentanoic acid derivative

The antigastrinic activity, in vivo, of CR 2194 (R-4-(3-chlorobenzamido)-5-(8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl) -5-oxo pentanoic acid) was assessed in various animal species. CR 2194 antagonized pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the rat (ID50 = 11 mg/kg i.v.), dog (ID50 = 5.9 mk/kg i.v. or 28.8 mg/kg os) and cat (ID50 = 15.5 mg/kg i.v.). CR 2194, in the cat, inhibited both competitively and non-competitively the gastric acid secretion stimulated with increased doses of pentagastrin, with a pA2 of 4.89. In the rat and in the dog the antagonism seemed to be non-competitive and the respective pD'2 calculated were 4.54 and 4.42. The interaction of CR 2194 with the gastrin receptors appeared reversible, as demonstrated by the return to normal values of the acid output after the conclusion of the i.v. infusion, during pentagastrin continuous stimulation in the dog. The antigastrin activity was specific: CR 2194 was unable to antagonize the gastric acid secretion stimulated by carbachol or histamine in the rat up to the dose of 100 mg/kg. CR 2194 was effective to antagonize the gastric acid secretion stimulated by gastrin release after meal ingestion in the Heidenhain pouch dog model. The ID50 calculated was 2.89 mg/kg after oral administration. All these characteristics make CR 2194 an important compound in the investigation of the biological effects of gastrin and a potential agent for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

Structure-antigastrin activity relationships of new (R)-4-benzamido-5-oxopentanoic acid derivatives

New (R)-4-benzamido-5-oxopentanoic acid derivatives were synthesized by a stereoconservative procedure and evaluated in vitro for their capacity to inhibit the binding of [125I](BH)-CCK-8 to either rat peripheral (CCK-A) or central (CCK-B) CCK receptors, or the binding of [3H]pentagastrin to rabbit gastric glands, as well as to inhibit, in vivo, the acid secretion induced by pentagastrin infusion in the perfused rat stomach. The parent compound of this series (lorglumide) is the first nonpeptidic, potent and selective antagonist of the CCK-A receptor. Chemical manipulations of the structure of lorglumide led to the discovery of selective antagonists of the CCK-B/gastrin receptors. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. Some of these new derivatives exhibit different affinities with rabbit gastric gland cells and rat cortex membranes, suggesting that the stomach gastrin receptor (arbitrarily termed CCK-B1 receptor) is not as closely related to the CCK central receptor (termed CCK-B2) as previously hypothesized. The antigastric activity of the most potent compound of the series, i.e. (R)-4-(3,5-dichlorobenzamido)-5-(8-azaspiro[4.5]decan- 8-yl)-5-oxopentanoic acid (compound 28, CR 2194) was further evaluated in vivo: in the first hour after administration the compound inhibits acid secretion induced by pentagastrin infusion, in both cat and dog (in the cat with gastric fistula and in the dog with Heidenhain pouch), with ID50s (mg/kg) of 15.5 (iv) (cat), 8.7 (IV) (dog) and 24.2 (oral) (Heidenhain dog). The characteristics of CR 2194, that is, the selectivity for the gastrin receptor, the simple nonpeptidic molecular structure, and the activity after oral administration, indicate that this compound is a useful tool in the study of the biological effects of gastrin and a potential agent for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

Antiarthritic effects of glucosamine sulfate studied in animal models

The antireactive activity of glucosamine sulfate (GS) (CAS 29031-19-4) was tested in the rat in experimental models of subacute inflammation (sponge granuloma and croton oil granuloma), on subacute mechanical arthritis (kaolin arthritis) and in immunological-reactive arthritis and generalized inflammation (adjuvant arthritis). On these models GS was found effective in oral daily doses of 50-800 mg/kg. Tne potency of GS in comparison of that of indometacin used in the same tests as reference substance was found 50-300 times lower. Since, however, the toxicity of indometacin in chronic toxicity experiments is 1000-4000 times larger, the therapeutic margin with regard to prolonged treatments of inflammatory disorders results 10-30 times more favourable for GS than for indometacin. GS can therefore be considered as a drug of choice for prolonged oral treatment of rheumatic disorders.

Antireactive properties of glucosamine sulfate

Glucosamine (CAS 3416-24-8) is an aminomonosaccharide naturally occurring in the human body. It was tested for antiinflammatory activities and it showed to protect against the edema provoked in the rat paw by carrageenin, dextran, formalin, but not against the edema provoked by specific inflammation mediators, such as bradykinin, serotonin, histamine. Glucosamine protected against pleurities provoked in the rat by carrageenin, but not against that provoked by bradykinin. Furthermore glucosamine protected against peritonitis provoked in the rat by formalin and in the mouse by acetic acid. Glucosamine did not show antinoceptive properties against writings provoked by i.p. phenylquinone in the mouse. Glucosamine did not show inhibiting activities on cyclooxygenase or on the proteolytic enzymes in the inflamed paw of the rat, but it was able to inhibit in vitro superoxide generation and lysosomial enzymes of the liver. The potency of glucosamine on the antiinflammatory tests was lower than that of acetylsalicylic acid and much lower than that of indomethacin. Its acute toxicity, however, and notably the toxicity on the gastrointestinal tract is very low, practically absent. The pharmacological therapeutic index of glucosamine with regard to the antiinflammatory activities seems therefore comparable or superior to that of the known non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

Antispasmodic activity of tiropramide

Tiropramide hydrochloride and some of its metabolites were studied in vivo for their antispasmodic activities on the following models: gastric emptying in the mouse retarded by cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) or morphine, progression of intestinal contents in the mouse, spontaneous motility of the colon in the anesthetized rabbit, diarrhea induced by castor oil in the rat, spasm of the sphincter of Oddi provoked by morphine in the guinea pig, contractions of the urinary bladder in the anesthetized rat. On these models tiropramide had an antispasmodic activity at doses of 4-40 mg/kg i.p. or i.v. and of 50-90 mg/kg orally. The potency was greater on "pathological" contractions or spasms and smaller on "physiological" movements. Tiropramide may therefore be regarded as a "eukinetic" antispasmodic agent. Tiropramide in general was more potent than reference agents such as papaverine or flavoxate and was active also after oral administration. The metabolites of tiropramide, i.e. CR 1034, CR 1098 and CR 1166 showed similar pharmacodynamic effects, but their potency was smaller than that of tiropramide. Large doses of tiropramide have depressive actions on the cardiovascular system, which can be seen especially if tiropramide is administered i.v. and are less pronounced after oral administration. The circulatory effects are therefore probably the limiting factor for increasing the parenteral doses of tiropramide in human therapy. Tiropramide was found less toxic than papaverine (LD50). The metabolites of tiropramide were less toxic than the parent compound. The toxicity of the chiralic forms of tiropramide does not differ significantly from that of the racemic substance.

Pharmacological characterisation of the smooth muscle antispasmodic agent tiropramide

(+/-) Tiropramide hydrochloride, its D and L optical isomers and some of its metabolites were characterized in a number of in vitro pharmacological tests. Tiropramide showed broad spectrum antispasmodic activities on the isolated stomach of guinea pig electrically stimulated; on the longitudinal muscles of the ileum of guinea pig stimulated by electrical impulses, BaCl2, acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, substance P and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8); on the spontaneous contractions and on the electrical inhibition of the jejunum of rabbit; on the spontaneous contractions and on the contractions provoked by BaCl2 and acetylcholine of the ascending colon of the rat; on the contractions provoked by BaCl2, acetylcholine, histamine and cerulein of the circular muscles of the gall bladder of the guinea pig; on the spontaneous contractions of the pyel-ureter preparation of the guinea pig; on the contractions of the uterus of the rat provoked by oxitocin, serotonin, acetylcholine, PGF2; on the spontaneous contraction of the portal vein of the rat; on the constriction of the tail artery of the rat provoked by electrical stimulation, epinephrine and ergotamine; on the contractions of the aortic strip of the rabbit stimulated by norepinephrine; on the contractions of the strip of bovine coronary artery depolarized by HCl. In general tiropramide had antispasmodic effect at 5-60 mumol/l concentration. It was more potent than papaverine on contractions provoked by electrical or chemical stimuli, and was less potent or ineffective on spontaneous and "physiological" contractions of the different smooth muscle preparations. Tiropramide had small effects on vascular smooth muscles and showed very small calcium channel blocking activity.

Pharmacological properties of lorglumide as a member of a new class of cholecystokinin antagonists

Derivatives of 5-(dipentylamino)-5-oxo-pentanoic acid are a new class of non-peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonists. The most potent compound, D,L-4-(3,4-dichlorobenzoylamino)-5-(dipentylamino)-5-oxo-pen tanoic acid (lorglumide, CR 1409), has a great affinity for the pancreatic CCK receptors and is a competitive, specific and potent CCK antagonist on the smooth muscles of the gall bladder and ileum of the guinea pig and on the CCK-induced amylase secretion of isolated pancreatic acini. In vivo lorglumide antagonizes the contraction of the gall bladder of the guinea pig and of the dog provoked by i.v. CCK-8 or ceruletide (caerulein). It antagonizes the satiety effect of CCK-8 in the rat and is protective against ceruletide-, taurocholate- and diet-induced pancreatitis. Lorglumide is therefore a useful pharmacological tool to study the functions of CCK. For its pharmacological properties, its relatively low toxicity and because it is active also after oral administration, lorglumide is a candidate for diagnostic or therapeutic use in man when an involvement of CCK is suspected.

Loxiglumide protects against experimental pancreatitis

Loxiglumide (D,L-4-(3,4-dichloro-benzoylamino)- 5-(N-3-methoxypropyl-pentylamino)-5-oxo-pentanoic acid, CR 1505) is a derivative of pentanoic acid and belongs to a newly discovered class of agents with cholecystokinin antagonistic activities. Loxiglumide has preventive effects on different types of experimental pancreatitis, induced e.g. by ceruletide (i.p. ED50 ca. 9 mumol/kg), by intrapancreatic taurocholate (i.p. ED50 ca. 80 mumol/kg) or by choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented diet (i.p. ED50 ca. 45 mumol/kg). Loxiglumide has a simple, non-polypeptidic chemical structure and may be a candidate for clinical investigations in man, e.g. for pancreatitis.

Anticholecystokinin activities of loxiglumide

The anticholecystokinin activities of loxiglumide, (D,L-4-(3,4-dichloro-benzoylamino)-5-(N-3-methoxypropyl-pentylamino++ +)-5-oxo- pentanoic acid, CR 1505) are described. Loxiglumide antagonizes in vivo the contractions of the gall bladder of guinea pig induced or mediated by cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) (i.v. ED50 = 0.24 mumol/kg), the emptying of the gall bladder of the mouse induced by CCK-8 (i.v. ED50 = 29 mumol/kg, oral ED50 = 42 mumol/kg), the retardation of gastric emptying of the rat induced by CCK-8 (i.p. ED50 = 13 mumol/kg), the retardation of the pyloric transit in the mouse induced by CCK-8 (i.v. ED50 = 3.7 mumol/kg, oral ED50 = 11 mumol/kg), the hypermotility of the ileum of the rabbit induced by CCK-8 (i.v. ED50 = 1.2 mumol/kg) and the contractions of the gall bladder of the non-anesthetized dog induced by caerulein (i.v. ED50 ca. 11 mumol/kg). Loxiglumide also antagonizes the satiety behaviour of the rat elicited by CCK-8 (i.p. ED50 = 0.65 mumol/kg) and the exocrine pancreatic hypersecretion in the anaesthetized dog induced by CCK-8 (i.v. ED50 ca. 0.35 mumol/kg). Loxiglumide has a simple, non-polypeptidic chemical structure and is active after parenteral and after oral administration.

Pharmacological characterisation of a new potent and specific nonpolypeptidic cholecystokinin antagonist

D,L-4-(3,4-Dichloro-benzoylamino)-5-(N-3-methoxypropyl- pentylamino)-5-oxo-pentanoic acid (CR 1505) belongs to a newly discovered class of agents with cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonistic activity. CR 1505 displaces CCK-8 from the central CCK receptors at concentrations of 9.1 mumol/l, and from the peripheral CCK receptors at concentrations of 0.33 mumol/l. CR 1505 antagonizes in vitro the contractant effects of CCK-8 on gall bladder strips of the guinea pig at 0.79 mumol/l and those on the small intestine at 1.6 mumol/l. These antagonistic effects are dose dependent and of competitive type. The antagonistic activities of CR 1505 against contractions of smooth muscles elicited by CCK-8 are at least 1000 times more potent than those against the contractions elicited by acetylcholine, BaCl2, histamine, serotonin, Substance P, bradykinin or dimethylphenylpiperazine. CR 1505 is also practically ineffective against the contractions of the small intestine of the guinea pig elicited by electrical field stimulations either as "cholinergic twich" (0.05 Hz), or as "cholinergic contractions" (trains of 10 min at 1 Hz), or as "non-cholinergic contractions" (200 impulses at 5 Hz in presence of atropine). CR 1505 is therefore a potent, specific, competitive and reversible CCK antagonist.

Plasma levels of proglumetacin and its metabolites after intravenous or oral administration in the dog

The absolute bioavailability of 1H-indole-3-acetic acid, 1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl 2-[4-[4-[[4-(benzoylamino)-1,5-dioxopentyl]oxy]propyl]-1- piperazinyl]-ethyl ester (+/-) (proglumetacin, CR 604) was studied in 12 dogs, in a triple cross-over experiment with single doses of i.v. proglumetacin diphosphate, oral proglumetacin diphosphate or oral proglumetacin dimaleate. Determined were proglumetacin, 2'-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl-(1-p- chlorobenzoyl-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl)-acetic acid (CR 1015), indometacin and proglumide in plasma. Proglumetacin and CR 1015 were found in plasma only after the i.v. administration. Conversely indometacin and proglumide were found after all administration routes. The areas under the curve of indometacin and of proglumide did not differ significantly after the three treatments, as shown by the analysis of variance.

Antispasmodic activity on the gallbladder of the mouse of CR 1409 (lorglumide) a potent antagonist of peripheral CCK

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormonal regulator of the motility of the gallbladder. CCK-8, i.e. the biologically active C-terminal octapeptide of the hormone, elicits contraction and emptying of the gallbladder. Endogenous CCK released by egg yolk or fatty acids in the duodenum gives the same results. CR 1409 (lorglumide), a glutaramic acid derivative with peripheric competitive CCK-antagonistic activity, was evaluated in comparison with proglumide (the model CCK-receptor antagonist) and other conventional antispasmodic drugs, for their ability to inhibit the emptying of the gallbladder induced in mice by CCK-8 or by lyophylized egg yolk. CR 1409 (1-10 mg/kg) prevented dose-dependently the emptying of the gallbladder in both experimental models; proglumide exhibited a comparable activity at much higher doses (200-800 mg/kg). On the contrary the anticholinergic drug atropine, the calcium-antagonist nifedipine, and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor papaverine were almost ineffective. The present data support the hypothesis that the effects of CCK on gallbladder motility are mediated by a CCK-dependent specific mechanism.

Different peripheral and central antagonistic activity of new glutaramic acid derivatives on satiety induced by cholecystokinin in rats

New glutaramic acid derivatives with cholecystokinin antagonistic activity were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit the satiety effect induced in the rat by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8). The most active compound, CR 1409, is about 4000 times more potent than proglumide when injected peripherally (i.p.). This compound competitively inhibits the action of CCK-8 at the receptor responsible for the satiety effect. In contrast, CR 1409, i.p. or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) injected does not exhibit antagonistic effects when CCK-8 is administered i.c.v., confirming the existence of at least two different populations of CCK receptors.

Protective effect of CR 1409 (cholecystokinin antagonist) on experimental pancreatitis in rats and mice

CR 1409, a glutaramic acid derivative with competitive cholecystokinin-antagonistic activity, was administered IP and evaluated in comparison with proglumide (the model CCK-receptor antagonist), gabexate (protease inhibitor) and PGE2 (cytoprotective) on two different models of experimental pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced in mice by six IP injections of 50 micrograms/kg caerulein at hourly intervals. The drugs were administered 30 minutes before each caerulein administration. Blood samples and pancreata were collected 3 hours after the last caerulein injection. In the second experiment, pancreatitis was induced in rats by injecting 0.3 ml 6% sodium taurocholate interstitially into the pancreas. The drugs were administered twice, 30 minutes before and 3 hours after taurocholate. The animals were killed 6 hours after laparotomy and blood samples and pancreata were collected. CR 1409 exhibited on both pancreatitis models a protective effect in a dose range of 0.3-10 mg/kg. Proglumide exhibited a protective activity at higher doses (200-400 mg/kg). Gabexate and PGE2 were effective only in pancreatitis induced by taurocholate in a dose range of 30-60 mg/kg and 60-130 micrograms/kg respectively. These results, showing a high protective effect of CR 1409 on different models of acute pancreatitis, suggest an important role of CCK in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis.

Loperamide: evidence of interaction with mu and delta opioid receptors

Loperamide was tested on electrically-evoked contractions using a series of "in vitro" isolated preparations, in comparison with morphine, met-enkephalin, beta-endorphin, ethylketocyclazocine used as representative agonists of mu, delta, epsilon, kappa receptors respectively. The IC50 of loperamide on myenteric plexus longitudinal muscle of guinea pig ileum was found to be 1.90 X 10(-7)M and equal to that of morphine. The IC50 on mouse vas deferens was found to be 13.02 X 10(-7)M. In this tissue, loperamide resulted as active as morphine, but 54 times less active than met-enkephalin (IC50 0.24 X 10(-7)M). On the rat vas deferens where, as expected, beta-endorphin was strongly active (IC50 1.38 X 10(-7)M), morphine exerted a stimulatory action within the range 10(-5)M-10(-4)M and loperamide was only poorly depressive. The Ke value of naloxone, a specific mu receptor antagonist, against loperamide in the guinea pig ileum was 3.83 nM, and in the mouse vas deferens was 82.87 nM indicating that loperamide in the guinea pig ileum acts on mu receptors while in the mouse vas deferens on another opiate receptor.