3-Amino-2-piperidinone-6-carboxylic acid. Molecular structures of cis and trans benzoyl derivatives

The cis (2a) and trans (2b) isomers of methyl 3-benzamido-2-piperidinone-6-carboxylate (Apca) were prepared and separated by fractional recrystallizations. Proton n.m.r. studies in dimethylsulfoxide solution indicate that the six-membered lactam ring adopts a distorted chair conformation with an equatorially oriented benzamido substituent in both 2a and 2b. The carboxyl function also is equatorially oriented in the trans isomer 2b, but is disposed axially in the cis isomer 2a. In the crystal structure, the six-membered lactam ring of 2a is clearly in a boat conformation with the benzamido and carboxyl functions attached to the two apex carbon atoms equatorially. The trans isomer, 2b, exists as two crystallographically independent, conformationally distinct molecules in one unit cell. The lactam ring in both molecules adopts a distorted chair conformation, as is the case in solution, with both the benazamido and carboxyl functions attached equatorially. The rotameric orientation for the endocyclic lactam differs between the two molecules. Both structures show evidence of C-H...O hydrogen bond formation intermolecularly in the solid state. This ability, along with the distinctive conformational features of Apca, may be exploitable in the design of unique features of polypeptides.

Differences in the interaction of histamine H2 receptor antagonists and tricyclic antidepressants with adenylate cyclase from guinea pig gastric mucosa

The interaction of adenylate cyclase with histamine H2 receptor agents and with tricyclic antidepressants was studied in guinea pig gastric mucosal membranes. The H2 receptor antagonist tiotidine acted as a competitive inhibitor of histamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase. The tricyclic antidepressants imipramine and amitryptyline were also competitive inhibitors. The dissociation constant of imipramine was the same whether histamine or dimaprit was used to activate the enzyme. In membrane preparations that had been stored frozen, there was a marked increase in the concentration of histamine or dimaprit required to cause half-maximal enzyme stimulation, and the dissociation constants of some classical H2 receptor antagonists were greatly increased. In contrast, the dissociation constants of the antidepressants were either unchanged or decreased. These results suggest that antidepressants are potent blockers of H2 receptors in gastric mucosal membranes, but there are differences between antidepressants and classical H2 receptor antagonists in their interaction with H2 receptors.

A radioimmunoassay for the histamine H2-antagonist, tiotidine

A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the histamine H2-antagonist, tiotidine, has been developed. The assay is based upon competition of tiotidine with [3H]-tiotidine for antibody (Ab) obtained from immunized rabbits. The immunogen used was a glutaraldehyde coupled conjugate of the tiotidine derivative (ICI 147,655) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Displacement of [3H]-tiotidine by unlabeled tiotidine was competitive over a concentration range of 10-1000 fmol. The Ab was 100-fold less sensitive to the pharmacologically inactive metabolite of tiotidine (ICI 129,585) and did not cross-react with histamine, cimetidine or phenylguanidine. In dogs given an i.v dose of tiotidine, plasma levels of the antagonist, as measured by the RIA, were correlated with inhibition of histamine-induced gastric acid secretion. Tiotidine (0.3 or 0.6 mumol kg-1) caused a dose-dependent and transient decrease in acid secretion at plasma concentrations of 10(-6) to 10(-8) M. Other potential analytical and research uses of H2-antagonist radioimmunoassays are discussed.

Regulation by monovalent cations of histamine H2 receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase from guinea pig fundic gastric mucosa

In thoroughly washed guinea pig fundic gastric mucosal membranes, NaCl markedly potentiates the maximal histamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and increases the concentration of histamine required for half-maximal effect (EC50). The apparent dissociation constants for the antagonists cimetidine and metiamide are only slightly increased in the presence of NaCl. Potassium chloride does not change the histamine EC50 but does increase the maximal histamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. These results suggest that Na and K ions may play an important role in the regulation of histamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in gastric mucosa. The effect of the Na ion appears to be more specific for histamine H2 receptor agonists than for antagonists.

Histamine receptors in the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum: H1- and H2-receptor-mediated potentiation of the contractile response to electrical stimulation

The effect of histamine on the contractile response to low frequency-electrical field stimulation in the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig ileum was investigated. By blocking the direct increase in smooth muscle tone caused by histamine with low concentrations of pyrilamine (10(-9)--5 x 10(-8) M) a dose-dependent, histamine-induced potentiation of the twitch response to electrical stimulation was observed. Blocking the direct actions of histamine with concentrations of pyrilamine greater than 10(-7) M resulted in a biphasic histamine dose-response curve: lower histamine concentrations produced a dose-dependent decrease of the twitch response; higher concentrations produced a potentiation. The potentiating effect of histamine was inhibited by high concentrations of H2-receptor antagonists. Tiotidine (ICI 125, 211) had a pA2 of 5.25, 100 times greater than its pA2 in isolated guinea-pig atria. Blockade of the actions of the H2-receptor agonists dimaprit and tetrahydrozoline also required greater antagonist concentrations. The selective H1-receptor agonist, 2-(2-thiazolyl)-ethylamine, also enhanced the response to electrical stimulation. The potentiating effect of histamine could be blocked by hexamethonium (10(-7)--10(-5) M) but not by atropine. Atropine (10(-9)--10(-8) M) did prevent the decrease in the contraction amplitude induced by histamine in the presence of 10(-7) M pyrilamine. The purinergic antagonist theophylline, adrenergic antagonists or depletion of endogenous catecholamines were without effect. Tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M) inhibited the augmentation induced by histamine. Our results demonstrate that histamine potentiates the acetylcholine-mediated contractile response to electrical field stimulation of guniea-pig ileum via H1- and what may be an H2-receptor subtype.

Relationship between anti-diarrheal activity and binding to calmodulin

Several neuroleptics known to bind to calmodulin were tested for anti-diarrheal activity and were compared with the opiate anti-diarrheals loperamide and diphenoxylate. All inhibited the intestinal fluid secretion induced by 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 and castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats as a function of dose, the order of potency being loperamide approximately equal to diphenoxylate greater than chlorpromazine greater than promethazine greater than amitriptyline. The opiates loperamide and diphenoxylate were found to compete with [3H]trifluoperazine binding to calmodulin in the presence of calcium. These opiates were approximately 3 times more potent inhibitors of [3H]trifluoperazine binding than chlorpromazine. A positive correlation between calmodulin binding and anti-diarrheal activity was demonstrated.

Interaction of alpha-adrenergic imidazolines with cardiac histamine H2-receptors

We have investigated in the isolated, perfused guinea pig heart whether a alpha-adrenergic imidazolines, tolazoline and tetrahydrozoline stimulate histamine H2-receptors directly or via the release of endogenous histamine. At 30 degrees C neither tolazoline nor tetrahydrozoline released histamine. However, both increased heart rate, contractility, and decreased coronary vascular resistance as a function of dose. The H2-receptor antagonists cimetidine and tiotidine blocked the effects of tolazoline and tetrahydrozoline. The actions of tetrahydrozoline were confined to its 1-isomer. At 37 degrees C tolazoline, but not tetrahydrozoline, released histamine into the coronary perfusate. The maximum tolazoline-induced change in heart rate was 2.5-3.0 times greater than tetrahydrozoline's, in distinct contrast to their identical effect at 30 degrees C. All other responses to the two drugs were the same at 30 and 37 degrees C. Our results suggest that tolazoline and tetrahydrozoline directly stimulate histamine H2-receptors. Because of the differences in the structures of imidazolines and histamine, these findings have implications for the current hypothesis regarding histamine H2-receptor activation.

Estradiol 17 -hemisuccinate: an improved procedure

A simple, rapid, high-yield, and relatively inexpensive procedure for the preparation of estradiol 17beta-hemisuccinate is described. The synthesis can be done conveniently in the ordinary biological laboratory.

Pemoline and magnesium hydroxide: lack of effect on RNA and protein synthesis

Brain RNA polymerase isolated from rats treated with pemoline and magnesium hydroxide (Cylert) was not more active than enzyme from control animals. The drug did not increase enzymic activity in vitro. Pemoline did not significantly affect either RNA or protein synthesis in suspensions of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.

Antagonism of purified asparaginase from guinea pig serum toward lymphoma

The tumor inhibitory activity of highly purified asparaginase from guinea pig serum toward the Gardner lymphosarcoma in C3H mice was compared with that of the serum itself. The purified enzyme, homogeneous by ultracentrifugation and immunoelectrophoresis, had activity comparable to that of the serum. The serum was also effective in mice which were made immunologically incompetent by radiation with coba't-60.