Optimization of potency and pharmacokinetic properties of tetrahydroisoquinoline transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) antagonists

J Med Chem. 2014 Apr 10;57(7):2989-3004. doi: 10.1021/jm401955h. Epub 2014 Mar 19.

Abstract

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a nonselective cation channel expressed in a subpopulation of sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system. TRPM8 is the predominant mammalian cold temperature thermosensor and is activated by cold temperatures ranging from 8 to 25 °C and cooling compounds such as menthol or icilin. TRPM8 antagonists are being pursued as potential therapeutics for treatment of pain and bladder disorders. This manuscript outlines new developments in the SAR of a lead series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives with emphasis on strategies to improve pharmacokinetic properties and potency. Selected compounds were profiled in two TRPM8 target-specific in vivo coverage models in rats (the icilin-induced wet dog shake model and the cold pressor test). Compound 45 demonstrated robust efficacy in both pharmacodynamic models with ED90 values <3 mg/kg.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cold Temperature
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects*
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Stereoisomerism
  • TRPM Cation Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • TRPM Cation Channels / metabolism
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / chemistry
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / pharmacokinetics*
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • 1-(3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxamide
  • Pyrimidinones
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPM8 protein, human
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines
  • Trpm8 protein, rat
  • icilin