Ketotifen and cardiovascular effects of xamoterol following single and chronic dosing in healthy volunteers. (1/60)

AIMS: To study whether desensitization occurs after long-term administration of the 1-adrenoceptor partial agonist xamoterol and, if so, whether this can be influenced by ketotifen. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized design 10 young, healthy males received ketotifen (2 x 1 mg day(-1) p.o.) or placebo for 3 weeks with xamoterol (2 x 200 mg day(-1) p.o.) administered concomitantly during the last 2 weeks. 'l1-adrenoceptor mediated responses were assessed as exercise-induced tachycardia and isoprenaline-induced shortening of heart rate corrected electromechanical systole (QS2c); isoprenaline-induced tachycardia was measured as a mixed beta1-/beta2-adrenoceptor-mediated effect. RESULTS: The first dose of xamoterol significantly increased resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure and significantly shortened QS2c. The last dose of xamoterol after 2 weeks of treatment still produced the same responses. Ketotifen did not influence these effects of xamoterol on resting haemodynamics. The first dose of xamoterol caused a rightward shift of the exercise- and isoprenaline-induced tachycardia (mean dose ratios+/-s.e.mean: 1.20+/-0.05 and 2.46+/-0.23) and the isoprenaline-evoked shortening of QS2c (dose ratio 3.59+/-0.68). This rightward shift was even more pronounced after 2 weeks xamoterol treatment. This additional rightward shift after 2 weeks of xamoterol was not affected by ketotifen (mean difference (95% CI) of log transformed dose ratios between placebo and ketotifen: exercise tachycardia 0.001 (-0.03; 0.04); isoprenaline tachycardia 0.03 (-0.15; 0.21); isoprenaline induced shortening of QS2c 0.13 (-0.22; 0.48)). CONCLUSIONS: In humans xamoterol is a partial beta1-adrenoceptor agonist with positive chrono- and inotropic effects at rest and antagonistic properties under conditions of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. These effects were well maintained after chronic dosing with no signs of beta1-adrenoceptor desensitization. Ketotifen does not change the beta-adrenoceptor mediated responses of xamoterol after chronic dosing.  (+info)

In vitro and in vivo characterization of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity in normal and heart failure rats. (2/60)

Clinical studies conducted with carvedilol suggest that beta-adrenoceptor antagonism is an effective therapeutic approach to the treatment of heart failure. However, many beta-adrenoceptor antagonists are weak partial agonists and possess significant intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), which may be problematic in the treatment of heart failure. In the present study, the ISAs of bucindolol, xamoterol, bisoprolol, and carvedilol were evaluated and compared in normal rats [Sprague-Dawley (SD)], in rats with confirmed heart failure [spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF)], and in isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. At equieffective beta1-adrenolytic doses, the administration of xamoterol and bucindolol produced a prolonged, equieffective, and dose-related increase in heart rate in both pithed SD rats (ED50 = 5 and 40 microgram/kg, respectively) and SHHF rats (ED50 = 6 and 30 microgram/kg, respectively). The maximum effect of both compounds in SHHF rats was approximately 50% of that observed in SD rats. In contrast, carvedilol and bisoprolol had no significant effect on resting heart rate in the pithed SD or SHHF rat. The maximum increase in heart rate elicited by xamoterol and bucindolol was inhibited by treatment with propranolol, carvedilol, and betaxolol (beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist) but not by ICI 118551 (beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist) in neonatal rat. When the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated cAMP response was examined in cardiomyocytes, an identical partial agonist/antagonist response profile was observed for all compounds, demonstrating a strong correlation with the in vivo results. In contrast, GTP-sensitive ligand binding and tissue adenylate cyclase activity were not sensitive methods for detecting beta-adrenoceptor partial agonist activity in the heart. In summary, xamoterol and bucindolol, but not carvedilol and bisoprolol, exhibited direct beta1-adrenoceptor-mediated ISA in normal and heart failure rats.  (+info)

Binding pockets of the beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors for subtype-selective agonists. (3/60)

We examined the subtype-selective binding site of the beta-adrenergic receptors (betaARs). The beta(1)/beta(2)-chimeric receptors showed the importance of the second and seventh transmembrane domains (TM2 and TM7) of the beta(2)AR for the binding of the beta(2)-selective agonists such as formoterol and procaterol. Alanine-substituted mutants of TM7 of the beta(2)AR showed that Tyr(308,) located at the top of TM7, mainly contributed to beta(2) selectivity. However, Tyr(308) interacted with formoterol and procaterol in two different ways. The results of Ala- and Phe-substituted mutants indicated that the phenyl group of Tyr(308) interacted with the phenyl group in the N-substituent of formoterol (hydrophobic interaction), and the hydroxyl group of Tyr(308) interacted with the protonated amine of procaterol (hydrophilic interaction). In contrast to beta(2)AR, TM2 is a major determinant that beta(1)-selective agonists such as denopamine and T-0509 bound the beta(1)AR with high affinity. Three amino acids (Leu(110), Thr(117), and Val(120)) in TM2 of the beta(1)AR were identified as major determinants for beta(1)-selective binding of these agonists. Three-dimensional models built on the basis of the predicted structure of rhodopsin showed that Tyr(308) of the beta(2)AR covered the binding pocket formed by TM2 and TM7 from the upper side, and Thr(117) of the beta(1)AR located in the middle of the binding pocket to provide a hydrogen bonding for the beta(1)-selective agonists. These data indicate that TM2 and TM7 of the betaAR formed the binding pocket that binds the betaAR subtype-selective agonists with high affinity.  (+info)

Rapid component I(Kr) of the guinea-pig cardiac delayed rectifier K(+) current is inhibited by beta(1)-adrenoreceptor activation, via cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent pathways. (4/60)

OBJECTIVE: The antiarrhythmic potential of betablockers contributes to their beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiac diseases, although the molecular basis of their class II antiarrhythmic action has not been clarified yet. METHODS: To investigate a putative functional link between beta-adrenoreceptors and the fast component of cardiac delayed rectifier K(+) channels (I(Kr)), whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were performed with isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. Tail currents of I(Kr) were measured at -40 mV after short (200 ms) test pulses to +40 mV. RESULTS: After application of the unspecific beta-receptor agonist isoproterenol (10 microM) for 12 min, the I(Kr) tail current was decreased by 72%, with an IC(50) of 1.4 microM. The specific beta(1)-blocker CGP207120A (10 microM) significantly attenuated the isoproterenol effect (net 24% decrease). The specific beta(1)-agonist xamoterol (10 microM), could mimic the isoproterenol effect (58% decrease). Modulators of beta(2)- or beta(3)-adrenoreceptors were far less effective. When isoproterenol or xamoterol were combined with KT5720 (2.5 microM), a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), their effects were drastically reduced, indicating that PKA presumably mediates the beta(1)-adrenergic inhibition of I(Kr). Tail current reductions by cAMP, forskolin, PKA catalytic subunit and a combination of PKA holoenzyme and cAMP support an involvement of PKA in the regulation of I(Kr). CONCLUSIONS: The functional link between I(Kr) and the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor involving PKA may play an important role in arrhythmogenesis and contribute to the antiarrhythmic action of clinically used beta(1)-blockers.  (+info)

Bucindolol displays intrinsic sympathomimetic activity in human myocardium. (5/60)

BACKGROUND: Most clinical studies have shown that beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists improve long-term survival in heart failure patients. Bucindolol, a nonselective beta-receptor blocker, however, failed to reduce heart failure mortality in a recent large clinical trial. The reasons for this failure are not known. Bucindolol has partial agonist properties in rat myocardium, but whether it has agonist activity in human heart is controversial. To address this, we measured the ability of bucindolol to increase cAMP accumulation in human myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Myocardial strips ( approximately 1 mm(3)) obtained from rat and nonfailing human hearts were confirmed to be viable for > or = 48 hours in normoxic tissue culture by MTT assay and histology. Freshly isolated strips were exposed to beta-adrenergic antagonists and agonists and assayed for cAMP. In both rat and human strips, the full beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol raised cAMP levels by >2.5-fold at 15 minutes. Carvedilol and propranolol had no effect on basal cAMP levels, whereas metoprolol reduced basal cAMP by approximately 25%. In contrast, bucindolol and xamoterol increased cAMP levels in a concentration-dependent manner in both rat and human myocardium (maximum 1.64+/-0.25-fold and 2.00+/-0.27-fold over control, respectively, P<0.01 for human tissue). CONCLUSIONS: Bucindolol exhibits approximately 60% of the beta-adrenergic agonist activity of xamoterol in normal human myocardial tissue.  (+info)

Functional and molecular characterization of beta-adrenoceptors in the internal anal sphincter. (6/60)

The purpose of the present study was to characterize different beta-adrenoceptors (beta-ARs) and determine their role in the spontaneously tonic smooth muscle of the internal anal sphincter (IAS). The beta-AR subtypes in the opossum IAS were investigated by functional in vitro, radioligand binding, Western blot, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies. ZD 7114 [(S)-4-[2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropylaminoethoxy]-N-(2-methoxyethyl)phenoxyacetamide] , a selective beta(3)-AR agonist, caused a potent and concentration-dependent relaxation of the IAS smooth muscle that was antagonized by the beta(3)-AR antagonist SR 59230A [1-(2-ethylphenoxy)-3-[[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenyl]amino]-(2S)-2-prop anol hydrochloride]. Conversely, the IAS smooth muscle relaxation caused by beta(1)- and beta(2)-AR agonists (xamoterol and procaterol, respectively) was selectively antagonized by their respective antagonists CGP 20712 [(+/-)-2-hydroxy-5-[2-[[2-hydroxy-3-[4-[1-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol- 2-yl]phenoxy]propyl]amino]ethoxy]-benzamide methanesulfonate salt] and ICI 118551. Saturation binding of [(125)I]iodocyanopindolol to beta-AR subtypes revealed the presence of a high-affinity site (K(d1) = 96.4 +/- 8.7 pM; B(max1) = 12.5 +/- 0.6 fmol/mg protein) and a low-affinity site (K(d2) = 1.96 +/- 1.7 nM; B(max2) = 58.7 +/- 4.3 fmol/mg protein). Competition binding with selective beta-AR antagonists revealed that the high-affinity site correspond to beta(1)/beta(2)-AR and the low affinity site to beta(3)-AR. Receptor binding data suggest the predominant presence of beta(3)-AR over beta(1)/beta(2)-AR. Western blot studies identified beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and beta(3)-AR subtypes. The presence of beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and beta(3)-ARs was further demonstrated by mRNA analysis using RT-PCR. The studies demonstrate a comprehensive functional and molecular characterization of beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and beta(3)-ARs in IAS smooth muscle. These studies may have important implications in anorectal and other gastrointestinal motility disorders.  (+info)

Partial agonist activity of bucindolol is dependent on the activation state of the human beta1-adrenergic receptor. (7/60)

BACKGROUND: In contrast to other beta-blockers, bucindolol has failed to reduce mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. It is currently debated whether this is due to partial agonist activity of this agent. We investigated whether conflicting results previously reported concerning the intrinsic activity of bucindolol can be explained by species differences or by different activation states of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) in the respective tissues. METHODS AND RESULTS: On isolated right atria from transgenic mice with cardiac overexpression of human beta1-ARs, bucindolol led to a greater increase in beating frequency (P<0.05) compared with wild-type mice. The increase amounted to 47% of the effect of xamoterol and was blocked by propranolol. On isolated, electrically stimulated, left ventricular muscle-strip preparations from failing human myocardium, bucindolol did not change the force of contraction under control conditions. In myocardial preparations pretreated with metoprolol (30 micromol/L, 90 minutes, subsequent washout), bucindolol significantly increased the force of contraction (P<0.001 vs control). In nonfailing atrial myocardium, isoproterenol pretreatment (1 micromol/L, 60 minutes) abolished the positive inotropic effect of xamoterol that was present under control conditions (P<0.05 vs control). The inotropic effects of bucindolol or xamoterol were inversely correlated to the inotropic response to forskolin in the respective specimens (r=-0.75 and -0.74, respectively; P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that bucindolol is a partial agonist at the human beta1-AR. In human failing myocardium, its partial agonist activity is masked by increased activation states of beta-ARs and is unmasked after in vitro pretreatment with metoprolol. Thus, the partial agonist activity of bucindolol is dependent on the activation state of the human beta1-AR.  (+info)

Selective and full beta 1-adrenoceptor agonist action of a catechol derivative of denopamine (T-0509) in the guinea-pig cardiac muscle and trachea: comparison with denopamine, xamoterol and isoprenaline. (8/60)

1. The pharmacological actions of T-0509, a 3-hydroxy derivative of denopamine, were studied in various guinea-pig tissues; these effects were compared with those of isoprenaline, denopamine and xamoterol. 2. The intrinsic activities of the positive inotropic actions of T-0509, denopamine and xamoterol compared with isoprenaline (= 100%) in the papillary muscle were 99%, 83% and 28%, respectively, while their relative potencies (EC50 agonist EC50 isoprenaline) were 0.23, 33 and 1.4, respectively. The intrinsic activities of T-0509, denopamine and xamoterol as positive chronotropic agents in the right atria were 98%, 69% and 48%, respectively, and their equipotent concentrations (isoprenaline = 1) were 0.24, 50 and 4, respectively. 3. The positive chronotropic actions of T-0509 and denopamine were antagonized by bisoprolol (3 x 10(-8) M), but not by ICI 118,551 (3 x 10(-8) M). 4. The intrinsic activity of T-0509 in histamine-contracted tracheae was similar to that of isoprenaline, but its equipotent concentration was 38; the effects of both agents were antagonized by ICI 118,551 (3 x 10(-8) M), but not by bisoprolol (3 x 10(-8) M). Denopamine and xamoterol did not show any agonist activity on guinea-pig trachea. 5. Denopamine and xamoterol antagonized the positive chronotropic (pA2, denopamine: 6.98, xamoterol: 7.75) and tracheal relaxant (pA2, denopamine: 5.39, xamoterol: 6.25) effects of isoprenaline. 6. Isoprenaline, T-0509 and denopamine, but not xamoterol, contracted the guinea-pig aorta in a decreasing order in the presence of propranolol (10(-6) M).7. Based on the above studies, T-0509 appears to be a highly selective betaI-adrenoceptor agonist with full agonist properties, while denopamine and xamoterol appear to be selective, but partial betaI-adrenoceptor agonists.  (+info)