title: alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists as nasal decongestants.
abstract: Nasal congestion, one of the major disease features of rhinitis, is induced by the filling of venous sinusoids causing mucosal engorgement with resultant obstruction of nasal airflow. The only available drugs that directly target the underlying vascular features driving nasal obstruction are the sympathomimetic alpha-adrenoceptor agonists due to their vasoconstrictor action. However, standard decongestants are nonselective alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, which have the potential for side-effects liabilities such as hypertension, stroke, insomnia and nervousness. In the present study, the effects of nonsubtype selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists BHT-920 and PGE-6201204 were evaluated in several isolated nasal mucosa contractile bioassays including dog, pig and monkey, and in a real-time tissue contractility assay using isolated pig nasal explants for BHT-920. The decongestant activity of PGE-6201204 was evaluated in vivo in a cat model of experimental congestion. Our results showed that alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists (1) contract nasal mucosa of different species, (2) exert a preferential vasoconstrictor effect on the capacitance vessels (veins and sinusoids), and (3) elicit decongestion. In conclusion, a selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist causing constriction preferentially in the large venous sinusoids and veins of nasal mucosa and producing nasal decongestion is expected to show efficacy in the treatment of nasal congestion without the characteristic arterio-constrictor action of the standard nonselective sympathomimetic decongestants.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Peripheral Neurobiology, Schering-Plough Research Institute, 2015 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA. michel.corboz@spcorp.com
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Corboz
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mutter
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rivelli
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Mingo
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varty
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cartwright
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hey
mesh_terms: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001381:Azepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D001381:Azepines; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D015016:Yohimbine; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; C024763:talipexole; D011224:Prazosin; D004837:Epinephrine