Additional evidence for functional subclassification of alpha-2 adrenoceptors based on a new selective antagonist, SK&F 104856.
SK&F 104856 (2-vinyl-7-chloro-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-methyl-thieno[4,3,2ef][3] benzazepine) shows a similar selectivity profile to the previously reported alpha adrenoceptor antagonist, SK&F 104078 (6-chloro-9-[(3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxy]-3-methyl-1H-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3- benzazepine), having the ability to block alpha-1 and postjunctional alpha-2 adrenoceptors, although having little or no activity at most prejunctional alpha-2 adrenoceptors. SK&F 104856 is more potent than SK&F 104078, and lacks the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist activity associated with the earlier compound. The postjunctional vs. prejunctional selectivity of SK&F 104856 at alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the same tissue preparation was demonstrated in both canine and human saphenous vein. Concentrations substantially higher than those required to block postjunctional alpha-2 adrenoceptor-agonist induced vasoconstriction had no effect on the ability of norepinephrine, acting on prejunctional alpha-2 adrenoceptors, to inhibit stimulation evoked transmitter overflow in the human tissue, and only a small effect in the canine vein. As observed with SK&F 104078, SK&F 104856 has some prejunctional alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist activity in the rat vas deferens, although the receptor dissociation constant is nearly 50-fold higher than that at the postjunctional alpha-2 adrenoceptor in the canine saphenous vein. The results obtained with SK&F 104856 provide additional evidence to support the premise that alpha-2 adrenoceptors can be functionally differentiated. Because SK&F 104856 can selectively antagonize certain alpha-2 adrenoceptor-mediated responses, this agent may be a useful tool to evaluate the functional roles of the multiple alpha-2 adrenoceptor subtypes that have been identified in biochemical and molecular studies.
Department of Pharmacology, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
J P
JP
Hieble
A C
AC
Sulpizio
R
R
Edwards
H
H
Chapman
P
P
Young
S P
SP
Roberts
T P
TP
Blackburn
M D
MD
Wood
D H
DH
Shah
R M
RM
Demarinis
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D016275:Atrial Function; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D004285:Dogs; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014316:Tritium; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D001552:Benzazepines; D011810:Quinoxalines; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D014316:Tritium; C071739:SK&F 104856; D012701:Serotonin; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D009638:Norepinephrine