Receptor interactions of Abbott-81988, a highly potent, non-peptide angiotensin-II antagonist selective for type-1 receptors.

Abstract

Abbott-81988 (A-81988) was selected from a series of related compounds as a highly potent and selective antagonist of angiotensin receptors. In the rabbit aorta, A-81988 exhibited a pA2 of 10.12 (+/- 0.08) vs. angiotensin-II, for type 1 receptors (AT1), and the antagonism appeared competitive. These results agreed with radioligand assays in which A-81988 inhibited the binding of [125I]-Sar1-Ile8-Angiotensin-II to rat liver membranes with a pKI of 9.12 (+/- 0.63). A-81988 was selective for AT1 receptors based on its lack of activity at other sites, such as aortic alpha 1 receptors. Moreover, A-81988 lacked affinity for AT2 receptors of bovine cerebellar membranes or for alpha or beta adrenergic receptors in binding assays. A-81988 lowered blood pressure significantly in vivo in renal artery-ligated rats at doses of 0.3 mg/kg administered either i.v. or p.o. The compound was rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the duodenum of anesthetized rats and demonstrated very low first-pass metabolism in the rat liver. These properties of selectivity toward and potency for antagonizing AT1 receptors, activity in lowering blood pressure in experimental animals, and favorable pharmacokinetic properties indicate that A-81988 should be a useful antihypertensive agent in man.