No cross-tolerance between S-nitrosocaptopril and nitroglycerin in dog coronary arteries in vivo

Dynamics of interaction of vitamin C with some potent nitrovasodilators, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine (SNAP) and S-nitrosocaptopril (SNOCap), in aqueous solution

The reductive decomposition of both SNAP and SNOCap by ascorbate in aqueous solution (in the presence of EDTA) was thoroughly investigated. Nitric oxide (NO) release from the reaction occurs in an ascorbate concentration and pH dependent manner. Rates and hence NO release increased drastically with increasing pH, signifying that the most highly ionized form of ascorbate is the more reactive species. The experiments were monitored spectrophotometrically, and second-order rate constants calculated at 37 degrees C for the reduction of SNAP are k(b)=9.81+/-1.39 x 10(-3) M(-1) s(-1) and k(c)=662+/-38 M(-1) s(-1) and for SNOCap are k(b)=2.57+/-1.29 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1) and k(c)=49.7+/-1.3 M(-1) s(-1). k(b) and k(c) are the second-order rate constants via the ascorbate monoanion (HA-) and dianion (A2-) pathways, respectively. Activation parameters were also calculated and are DeltaHb++ =93+/-7 kJ mol(-1), DeltaSb++ =15+/-2 J K(-1) mol(-1) and DeltaHc++ =51+/-5 kJ mol(-1), DeltaSc++ =-28+/-3 J K(-1) mol(-1) with respect to the reactions involving SNAP. Those for the reaction between SNOCap and ascorbate were calculated to be DeltaHb++ =63+/-11 kJ mol(-1), DeltaSb++ =-71+/-20 J K(-1) mol(-1) and DeltaHc++ =103+/-7 kJ mol(-1), DeltaSc++ =118+/-8 J K(-1) mol(-1). The effect of Cu2+/Cu+ ions on the reductive decompositions of these S-nitrosothiols was also investigated in absence of EDTA. SNOCap exhibits relatively high stability at near physiological conditions (37 degrees C and pH 7.55) even in the presence of micromolar concentrations of Cu2+, with decomposition rate constant being 0.011 M(-1) s(-1) in comparison to SNAP which is known to be more susceptible to catalytic decomposition by Cu2+ (second-order rate constant of 20 M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7.4 and 25 degrees C). It was also observed that the reductive decomposition of SNAP is not catalyzed by alkali metal ions, however, there was an increase in rate as the ionic strength increases from 0.2 to 0.5 mol dm(-3) NaCl.

Acute and subacute toxicity and efficacy of S-nitrosylated captopril, an ACE inhibitor possessing nitric oxide activities

The toxicity and efficacy of S-nitrosocaptopril (CapNO), a novel vasodilator possessing the capacities of both a nitric oxide donor and an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, were examined in rodents. In single-dose acute toxicity studies in ICR mice, the median lethal dose (LD(50)) for CapNO was 674+/-94 mg/kg (iv) and 2078+/-100 mg/kg (po), whereas for oral captopril was 4286+/-173 mg/kg. S-nitrosoglutathione, containing the same S-nitroso moiety as CapNO, showed an LD(50) equal to CapNO when the values were expressed by the mol/kg. The cause of acute death by the high doses of CapNO was lethal hypotension. In the subacute toxicity studies, oral CapNO was well tolerated in normotensive and hypertensive rats at doses up to 500 mg/kg/day for 3 months, except for considerable reductions in food consumption and growth rate observed in the 500 mg/kg/day group. Serum chemistry and hematology tests performed in the subacute toxicity studies revealed no adverse effects of oral CapNO except for a significant decrease in cholesterol levels in hypertensive SHR rat. At autopsy, no histopathological changes in major organs were observed over the subacute period. Administration of a therapeutic dose of CapNO (iv, 250 microg/kg which produced 25% decreases in blood pressure) revealed no changes in the hematological parameters. Subchronic treatment of SHR and SS/Jr rats with oral CapNO (50 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced mean arterial pressure to the normotensive level. Considering the absence of adverse effects of CapNO in the subchronic toxicity study, CapNO appears to be a safe drug for further clinical trials, but particular caution must be taken because it can cause hypotension when overdosed.

Physicochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of S-nitrosocaptopril crystals, a new nitric oxide donor

S-nitrosocaptopril (CapNO) has been proposed as a compound possessing capacities of both a nitric oxide (NO) donor and an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). In the present study, we characterized the physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacological properties of the crystalline CapNO. The novel stable crystals are in a red flake form. Spectroscopic analyses of CapNO revealed its UV/visible lambda(max) and the corresponding extinction coefficients, and characteristic infrared frequencies for the N=O and S-N stretch. The NMR signals corresponding to the protons attached to the carbon (C-S) and the carbon itself were remarkably shifted downfield upon S-nitrosylation. Mass and HPLC analyses, solubility, and melting point of CapNO were determined. Simultaneous on-line analyses of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of CapNO in catheterized awake rats of spontaneous hypertension (SHR) showed acute decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), concomitant with the corresponding increases in plasma levels of CapNO after po or iv administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters for CapNO, i.e., t(1/2), T(max), C(max), V(d), AUC, and oral bioavailability were analyzed to understand the dose-dependent potency and effective period of CapNO. The highest concentrations of oral CapNO distributed in tissues were found in kidney, liver, lung, and small intestine. CapNO was excreted predominantly via urine, and second via feces in the detectable forms of thiols and nitrogen oxide although a small portion of CapNO was found in bile. The results provide the evidence of in vivo cleavage of the S-N bond and biotransformation of CapNO.