threo Ifenprodil hemitartrate

sigma(2)-receptor ligand-mediated inhibition of inwardly rectifying K(+) channels in the heart.[Pubmed:17460149]

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2007 Jul;322(1):341-50.

The sigma(2)-receptor agonist, ifenprodil, was suggested as an inhibitor of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels. Nevertheless, an analysis of the role of sigma(2) receptors in cardiac electrophysiology has never been done. This work aims i) to identify the roles of cardiac sigma(2) receptors in the regulation of cardiac K(+) channel conductances and ii) to check whether sigma(2)-receptor agonists exhibit class III antiarrhythmic properties. The sigma(2)-receptor agonists ifenprodil, threo-ifenprodil, LNP250A [threo-8-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-hydroxy-propan-2-yl]-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4 ,5]decane-4-one] (a derivative of ifenprodil devoid of alpha(1)-adrenergic and N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor-blocking properties), and 1,3-di(2-tolyl)guanidine were used to discriminate the effects linked to sigma(2) receptors from those of the sigma(1) subtype, induced by (+/-)-N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10,047). The sigma(2)-receptor antagonist 3-alpha-tropanyl-2(pCl-phenoxy)butyrate (SM-21) was employed to characterize sigma(2)-mediated effects in patch-clamp experiments. In rabbits, all sigma(2)-receptor agonists reduced phenylephrine-induced cardiac arrhythmias. They prolonged action potential duration in rabbit Purkinje fibers and reduced human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) K(+) currents. (+)-SKF-10,047 was completely inactive in the last two tests. The effects of threo-ifenprodil were not antagonized by SM-21. In HERG-transfected COS-7 cells, SM-21 potentiated the ifenprodil-induced blockade of the HERG current. These data suggest that sigma(2)-receptor ligands block I(Kr) and that this effect could explain part of the antiarrhythmic properties of this ligands family. Nevertheless, an interaction with HERG channels not involving sigma(2) receptors seems to share this pharmacological property. This work shows for the first time that particular caution has to be taken toward ligands with affinity for sigma(2) receptors. The repolarization prolongation and the early-afterdepolarization can be responsible for "torsades de pointe" and sudden cardiac death.

Antagonist properties of the stereoisomers of ifenprodil at NR1A/NR2A and NR1A/NR2B subtypes of the NMDA receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes.[Pubmed:8838458]

Eur J Pharmacol. 1996 Jan 25;296(2):209-13.

The NMDA receptor antagonist ifenprodil contains two asymmetric centres which give rise to four stereoisomeric forms of this molecule. The inhibitory effects of each of these stereoisomers on recombinant NMDA receptors expressed from NR1A/NR2A and NR1A/NR2B subunit combinations were studied in Xenopus oocytes by voltage-clamp recording. All four ifenprodil stereoisomers were potent antagonists at NR1A/NR2B (IC50 < 0.8 microM), but weak antagonists at NR1A/NR2A receptors (IC50 > 100 microM). In heteromeric NR1A/NR2B receptors, (+) erythro- and (-) threo-ifenprodil (IC50 0.21 and 0.22 microM, respectively) were about 4 times more potent than (-) erythro- and (+) threo-ifenprodil (IC50 0.81 and 0.76, respectively). These results show that the stereoisomers of ifenprodil exhibit a weak though significant stereoselectivity at the NR1A/NR2B NMDA receptor subtype.

Interactions of erythro-ifenprodil, threo-ifenprodil, erythro-iodoifenprodil, and eliprodil with subtypes of sigma receptors.[Pubmed:7737340]

Eur J Pharmacol. 1995 Feb 6;273(3):307-10.

Observations of sigma (sigma) receptor heterogeneity have prompted interest in identifying ligands for sigma receptor subtypes. Selective ligands for the sigma-2 are unavailable, but [3H]ifenprodil labels sigma-2 sites. Therefore, isomers and analogues of ifenprodil were compared as potential sigma-2 ligands. Threo-ifenprodil and erythro-ifenprodil had high affinity (Ki congruent to 2 nM) for sigma-2 sites; erythro-iodoifenprodil had moderate affinity (Ki congruent to 46 nM); eliprodil had lowest affinity (Ki congruent to 630 nM). Threo-ifenprodil, which has less affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors than erythro-ifenprodil, was slightly more selective than erythro-ifenprodil for sigma-2 sites. These results identify threo-ifenprodil as potentially useful for studies of sigma-2 receptors.