Neuromuscular blocking activity and therapeutic potential of mixed-tetrahydroisoquinolinium halofumarates and halosuccinates in rhesus monkeys.

TitleNeuromuscular blocking activity and therapeutic potential of mixed-tetrahydroisoquinolinium halofumarates and halosuccinates in rhesus monkeys.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsBoros EE, Samano V, Ray JA, Thompson JB, Jung DK, Kaldor I, Koble CS, Martin MT, Styles VL, Mook RA, Feldman PL, Savarese JJ, Belmont MR, Bigham EC, G Boswell E, Hashim MA, Patel SS, Wisowaty JC, Bowers GD, Moseley CL, Walsh JS, Reese MJ, Rutkowske RD, Sefler AM, Spitzer TD
JournalJ Med Chem
Volume46
Issue12
Pagination2502-15
Date Published2003 Jun 5
ISSN0022-2623
KeywordsAnimals, Anisoles, Blood Pressure, Fumarates, Heart Rate, Humans, Isoquinolines, Macaca mulatta, Male, Muscle Contraction, Muscle, Skeletal, Neuromuscular Blocking Agents, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Stereoisomerism, Structure-Activity Relationship, Succinates
Abstract

Structure-activity relationships in rhesus monkeys for a novel mixed-onium class of ultra-short-acting nondepolarizing tetrahydroisoquinolinium neuromuscular blockers (NMBs) are described. Bis-onium chlorofumarate 20a with (1R,2S)-benzyltetrahydroisoquinolinium groups was a potent lead compound (ED(95) = 0.079 mg/kg) with an ultra-short duration of NMB effect (7.1 min) and a selectivity index (SI: defined as a ratio of the cardiovascular threshold dose to the ED(95)) similar to that of mivacurium (3). The mean threshold dose for cardiovascular effects with 20a was ca. 20 times its ED(95) value (SI = 20). A novel mixed-onium analogue of 20a was prepared by replacing the benzyltetrahydroisoquinolinium group distal to the fumarate chlorine atom with a (1S,2R)-phenyltetrahydroisoquinolinium moiety. The resulting mixed-onium chlorofumarate 24a displayed good NMB potency (ED(95) = 0.063 mg/kg), ultra-short duration of action (5.6 min) and an improved selectivity index (SI = 57). Several other mixed-onium derivatives containing octanedioate (25a; ED(95) = 0.103 mg/kg), difluorosuccinate (27c; ED(95) = 0.056 mg/kg), and fluorofumarate (28a; ED(95) = 0.137 mg/kg) linkers were also potent, ultra-short-acting NMBs with good to excellent selectivity index values (SI = 37-96). Octanedioate 25a was longer acting at higher doses compared to difluorosuccinate 27c and chlorofumarate 24a. Durations of NMB effect following a 0.4 mg/kg bolus dose (100% block) of 25a, 27c, and 24a were 16.9, 13.0, and 10.0 min, respectively. Recovery time for mixed-onium chlorofumarate 24a following a 1 h continuous infusion at 10-20 microg/kg/min (95-100% block) was ca. 5 min which is similar to that observed following a 0.2 mg/kg bolus dose of this compound and indicates a lack of cummulative effects. Preliminary studies with chlorofumarate 24a in whole human blood revealed that mixed-onium thiazolidine 29 was the major metabolite and that plasma cholinesterases do not play the primary role in duration of NMB effect. The NMB properties of 24a in rhesus monkeys led to its clinical evaluation as a possible alternative to succinylcholine.

DOI10.1021/jm020574+
Alternate JournalJ. Med. Chem.
PubMed ID12773054