title: Selective and potent beta 2-adrenoceptor agents within the tetrahydroisoquinoline class: effect of methyl substitution at the benzylic carbon of the 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl) group of trimetoquinol.
abstract: A systematic series of methyl (2 and 3) and dimethyl (4) analogues of trimetoquinol (1) were synthesized and evaluated for their beta 1 (atria) and beta 2 (trachea) and adrenoceptor activities. Structural assignments for the erythro (2) and the threo (3) diastereoisomers of 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-alpha-methylbenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline were based on NMR spectra of the 6,7-dibenzyl precursors 15 and 16, respectively, and on the synthetic derivatives of cis- and trans-13-methyl-2,3-bis(benzyloxy)-9,10,11-trimethoxytetrahydroprotoberberine (18 and 17). The rank order of beta 2-agonist activity for these compounds was 3 greater than 1 greater than 2 greater than 4. The rank order of activity as beta 1 agonists on the guinea pig atria is 1 greater than 3 greater than 2, and 4 was inactive. The methylated analogues show selectivity for beta 2 receptors in our preliminary pharmacological studies. The threo isomer 3 is the most potent and selective beta 2 stimulant reported to date in the tetrahydroisoquinoline class.
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects; D014213:Tretoquinol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D007546:Isoquinolines; C024531:1-(2',4',5-trimethoxybenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline; D014213:Tretoquinol