Potent Triazolopyridine Myeloperoxidase Inhibitors

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) generates reactive oxygen species that potentially contribute to many chronic inflammatory diseases. A recently reported triazolopyrimidine MPO inhibitor was optimized to improve acid stability and remove methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) activity. Multiple synthetic routes were explored that allowed rapid optimization of a key benzyl ether side chain. Crystal structures of inhibitors bound to the MPO active site demonstrated alternate binding modes and guided rational design of MPO inhibitors. Thioether 36 showed significant inhibition of MPO activity in an acute mouse inflammation model after oral dosing.

Triazolopyrimidines identified as reversible myeloperoxidase inhibitors

Myeloperoxidase, a mammalian peroxidase involved in the immune system as an anti-microbial first responder, can produce hypochlorous acid in response to invading pathogens. Myeloperoxidase has been implicated in several chronic pathological diseases due to the chronic production of hypochlorous acid, as well as other reactive radical species. A high throughput screen and triaging protocol was developed to identify a reversible inhibitor of myeloperoxidase toward the potential treatment of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis. The identification and characterization of a reversible myeloperoxidase inhibitor, 7-(benzyloxy)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-amine is described.

Discovery of Highly Potent Liver X Receptor β Agonists

Introducing a uniquely substituted phenyl sulfone into a series of biphenyl imidazole liver X receptor (LXR) agonists afforded a dramatic potency improvement for induction of ATP binding cassette transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1, in human whole blood. The agonist series demonstrated robust LXRβ activity (>70%) with low partial LXRα agonist activity (<25%) in cell assays, providing a window between desired blood cell ABCG1 gene induction in cynomolgus monkeys and modest elevation of plasma triglycerides for agonist 15. The addition of polarity to the phenyl sulfone also reduced binding to the plasma protein, human α-1-acid glycoprotein. Agonist 15 was selected for clinical development based on the favorable combination of in vitro properties, excellent pharmacokinetic parameters, and a favorable lipid profile.

Beneficial and Adverse Effects of an LXR Agonist on Human Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism and Circulating Neutrophils

The development of LXR agonists for the treatment of coronary artery disease has been challenged by undesirable properties in animal models. Here we show the effects of an LXR agonist on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and neutrophils in human subjects. BMS-852927, a novel LXRβ-selective compound, had favorable profiles in animal models with a wide therapeutic index in cynomolgus monkeys and mice. In healthy subjects and hypercholesterolemic patients, reverse cholesterol transport pathways were induced similarly to that in animal models. However, increased plasma and hepatic TG, plasma LDL-C, apoB, apoE, and CETP and decreased circulating neutrophils were also evident. Furthermore, similar increases in LDL-C were observed in normocholesterolemic subjects and statin-treated patients. The primate model markedly underestimated human lipogenic responses and did not predict human neutrophil effects. These studies demonstrate both beneficial and adverse LXR agonist clinical responses and emphasize the importance of further translational research in this area.

Discovery of hydroxyl 1,2-diphenylethanamine analogs as potent cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors

Hydroxyl 1,2-diphenylethanamine analogs were identified as potent inhibitors of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), a therapeutic target to raise HDL cholesterol. In an effort to improve the pharmaceutical properties in the previously disclosed DiPhenylPyridineEthanamine (DPPE) series, polar groups were introduced to the N-linked quaternary center. Optimization of analogues for potency, in vitro liability profile and efficacy led to identification of lead compound 16 which demonstrated robust pharmacodynamic effects in human CETP/apo-B100 dual transgenic mice.

Pharmacological characterization of a novel liver X receptor agonist with partial LXRα activity and a favorable window in nonhuman primates

Liver X Receptors (LXRs) α and β are nuclear hormone receptors that regulate multiple genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and are potential drug targets for atherosclerosis. However, full pan agonists also activate lipogenic genes, resulting in elevated plasma and hepatic lipids. We report the pharmacology of BMS-779788 [2-(2-(1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-methylethyl)-1-(3'-(methylsulfonyl)-4-biphenylyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-propanol], a potent partial LXR agonist with LXRβ selectivity, which has an improved therapeutic window in the cynomolgus monkey compared with a full pan agonist. BMS-779788 induced LXR target genes in blood in vivo with an EC50 = 610 nM, a value similar to its in vitro blood gene induction potency. BMS-779788 was 29- and 12-fold less potent than the full agonist T0901317 in elevating plasma triglyceride and LDL cholesterol, respectively, with similar results for plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein and apolipoprotein B. However, ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA inductions in blood, which are critical for RCT, were comparable. Increased liver triglyceride was observed after 7-day treatment with BMS-779788 at the highest dose tested and was nearly identical to the dose response for plasma triglyceride, consistent with the central role of liver LXR in these lipogenic effects. Dose-dependent increases in biliary cholesterol and decreases in phospholipid and bile acid occurred in BMS-779788-treated animals, similar to LXR agonist effects reported in mouse. In summary, BMS-779788, a partial LXRβ selective agonist, has decreased lipogenic potential compared with a full pan agonist in cynomolgus monkeys, with similar potency in the induction of genes known to stimulate RCT. This provides support in nonhuman primates for improving LXR agonist therapeutic windows by limiting LXRα activity.

Tetrazole based amides as growth hormone secretagogues

A novel series of N1 substituted tetrazole amides were prepared and showed to be potent growth hormone (GH) secretagogues. Among them, hydroxyl containing analog 31 displayed excellent in vivo activity by increasing plasma GH 10-fold in an anesthetized IV rat model.

Discovery of tertiary aminoacids as dual PPARα/γ agonists-I

A novel series of potent dual agonists of PPARalpha and PPARgamma, the alkoxybenzylglycines, was identified and explored using a solution-phase library approach. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of this series of dual PPARalpha/gamma agonists are described.

Tetrahydroisoquinoline 1-carboxamides as growth hormone secretagogues

Several novel series of tetrahydroisoquinoline 1-carboxamides were prepared and shown to be potent growth hormone (GH) secretagogues. Among them, carbamate 12a-E2 displays excellent in vivo activity by increasing plasma GH 10-fold in an anesthetized IV rat model.

Design and Synthesis ofN-[(4-Methoxyphenoxy)carbonyl]-N-[[4-[2-(5- methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)ethoxy]phenyl]methyl]glycine [Muraglitazar/BMS-298585], a Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α/γ Dual Agonist with Efficacious Glucose and Lipid-Lowering Activities

Muraglitazar/BMS-298585 (2) has been identified as a non-thiazolidinedione PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonist that shows potent activity in vitro at human PPARalpha (EC(50) = 320 nM) and PPARgamma(EC(50) = 110 nM). Compound 2 shows excellent efficacy for lowering glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in genetically obese, severely diabetic db/db mice and has a favorable ADME profile. Compound 2 is currently in clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Small molecule mitochondrial F1F0 ATPase hydrolase inhibitors as cardioprotective agents. Identification of 4-(N-arylimidazole)-substituted benzopyran derivatives as selective hydrolase inhibitors

In this paper we show that 4-aryl-CH2-imidazole-substituted benzopyran compounds with 3S,4R-stereochemistry are cardioprotective by inhibiting the F1F0 mitochondrial ATP hydrolase. Compounds (e.g., 13) with 3R,4S-stereochemistry act as mitochondrial KATP openers. This resulted from an inversion of stereochemistry for the F1F0 mitochondrial ATP hydrolase vs mitochondrial KATP. Structure-activity relationships for the inhibition of mitochondrial ATP hydrolase are also delineated. It is not clear how 13 (3R,4S) can selectively inhibit the hydrolytic activity of the F1F0 mitochondrial enzyme without interfering with the synthase activity.

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis does not affect ischemic preconditioning in isolated perfused rat hearts

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) has recently been reported to be a mediator of ischemic preconditioning in dog hearts. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of NO in ischemic preconditioning in isolated perfused rat hearts. Rat hearts were perfused at either constant pressure (80 mmHg) or constant flow. After aerobic perfusion (37 degrees C) for 10 min, hearts were treated with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 30 microM), which is an inhibitor of NO synthase, or vehicle. Ten minutes later, the hearts were preconditioned (4 episodes of 5 min of global ischemia and 5 min of reperfusion) or perfused normally before a 30-min global ischemic period. All hearts were reperfused for 30 min. Coronary flow or perfusion pressure plus heart rate and contractile function were measured continuously. Hearts perfused at constant pressure and treated with 30 microM L-NAME, a concentration that effectively inhibits endogenous NO synthesis, exhibited decreased coronary flow after 10 min, and flow remained decreased throughout the experiment. Ischemic preconditioning before 30 min of global ischemia resulted in a doubling of contractile function and a reduction of lactate dehydrogenase release at the end of the 30-min reperfusion period compared with nonpreconditioned hearts. The protective effect of preconditioning was not different in L-NAME-treated hearts. In addition, inhibition of NO synthase had no effect on the severity of ischemia in nonpreconditioned hearts. Similar results were obtained in preconditioned hearts that were perfused at constant flow, indicating that the flow reductions caused by L-NAME did not influence the results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pyruvate increases threshold for preconditioning in globally ischemic rat hearts

Isolated rat hearts can be protected by preconditioning, although this has not been found when they are perfused with pyruvate. We addressed the question of whether pyruvate could increase the threshold for preconditioning in isolated rat hearts and whether this could be overcome with increased durations of ischemia. A protocol of four periods of 5 min of ischemic preconditioning (4 x 5 min) protected hearts (improved recovery of function, reduced lactate dehydrogenase release) not perfused with pyruvate from a subsequent 30-min period of global ischemia, but did not protect pyruvate-perfused hearts. Pilot studies indicated that hearts perfused in the presence of pyruvate must be ischemic for approximately 40% longer to produce equivalent ischemic damage in nonpyruvate-treated hearts. Thus the preconditioning period of 5 min was increased by approximately 40% to 7 min to produce equivalent degrees of preconditioning. Hearts preconditioned with the 4 x 7 min protocol with pyruvate were significantly protected against a subsequent severe global ischemia (enhanced recovery of function, reduced lactate dehydrogenase release). High-energy phosphates were measured at the end of the preconditioning protocol (before final global ischemia) to determine whether there was a correlation between cardioprotection and high-energy phosphate levels. There was no correlation between ATP, ADP, or AMP levels and the efficacy of preconditioning. However, an increase in creatine phosphate was associated with cardioprotection, although the importance of this in mediating preconditioning is doubtful. Thus the ability to precondition rat hearts is somewhat dependent on their energy source, but this appears to be due to changes in the severity of the ischemic preconditioning event.