title: Antitussive profile of the NOP agonist Ro-64-6198 in the guinea pig.
abstract: We have previously shown that N/OFQ, the endogenous peptide ligand for the 'opioid-like' NOP receptor, inhibits cough in guinea pigs and cats. In the present study we sought to continue our characterization of the cough-suppressant effects of NOP stimulation by profiling the pulmonary and antitussive effects of a novel non-peptide NOP agonist, Ro-64-6198, in guinea pigs. In receptor-binding assays, we confirmed that Ro-64-6198 selectively binds to NOP receptors over other opioid receptors. The Ki values for Ro-64-6198 at NOP, MOP, KOP and DOP receptors was 0.3, 36, 214 and 3,787 nmol/l, respectively. In GTPgammaS-binding assays, Ro-64-6198 displayed >900-fold functional selectivity at NOP relative to MOP receptors. We evaluated the effects of Ro-64-6198 (3 and 10 micromol/l) in isolated guinea pig nodose ganglia cells on the increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration evoked by capsaicin stimulation (1 x 10(-8)-1 x 10(-6) mol/l). Similar to previously reported data with N/OFQ, Ro-64-6198 (3 and 10 micromol/l) significantly attenuated Ca2+ responses in nodose ganglia cells produced by exposure to capsaicin. The effect of Ro-64-6198 (3 micromol/l) on capsaicin-induced intracellular Ca2+ responses was blocked by the NOP antagonist, J113397 (3 micromol/l). In guinea pig in vivo studies, aerosolized capsaicin (10-300 micromol/l) produced a dose-dependent increase in cough number. Ro-64-6198 given i.p. significantly inhibited cough due to capsaicin (300 micromol/l) exposure. In a duration study we found that the maximum antitussive effect (42 +/- 8% inhibition) of Ro-64-6198 (3 mg/kg) was observed at 1 h after i.p. administration. Also at 1 h after administration, Ro-64-6198 (0.003-3.0 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of cough. The antitussive effect of Ro-64-6198 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) was blocked by J113397 (12 mg/kg, i.p.) but not by the classical opioid antagonist naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Although the antitussive action of Ro-64-6198 may be mediated by a central and/or a peripheral site of action, we hypothesize that selective oral NOP agonists that do not penetrate the blood-brain barrier may provide a novel approach for the treatment of cough. Moreover, because these drugs do not interact at MOP receptors, they may be devoid of codeine-like side effects such as respiratory depression, sedation, constipation or proclivities for addictive liabilities.
authors.affiliation: Allergy, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, N.J. 07033-1300, USA. robbie.mcleod@spccorp.com
authors.forename: Robbie L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: Yanlin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Xiomara
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Leonard E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Parra
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Deen B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Tulshian
authors.forename: Eugenia J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kiselgof
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Ahmad B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fawzi
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith-Torhan
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hey
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016466:CHO Cells; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003371:Cough / Q000517:prevention & control; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / Q000378:metabolism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009620:Nodose Ganglion / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D013141:Spiro Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000094942:Nociceptin Receptor
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000996:Antitussive Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; C408068:Ro 64-6198; D013141:Spiro Compounds; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); D002211:Capsaicin; D002118:Calcium; D000094942:Nociceptin Receptor