Analgesic effects of a substituted N-triazole oxindole (TROX-1), a state-dependent, voltage-gated calcium channel 2 blocker

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2010 Aug;334(2):545-55. doi: 10.1124/jpet.110.166363. Epub 2010 May 3.

Abstract

Voltage-gated calcium channel (Ca(v))2.2 (N-type calcium channels) are key components in nociceptive transmission pathways. Ziconotide, a state-independent peptide inhibitor of Ca(v)2.2 channels, is efficacious in treating refractory pain but exhibits a narrow therapeutic window and must be administered intrathecally. We have discovered an N-triazole oxindole, (3R)-5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-3-(pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one (TROX-1), as a small-molecule, state-dependent blocker of Ca(v)2 channels, and we investigated the therapeutic advantages of this compound for analgesia. TROX-1 preferentially inhibited potassium-triggered calcium influx through recombinant Ca(v)2.2 channels under depolarized conditions (IC(50) = 0.27 microM) compared with hyperpolarized conditions (IC(50) > 20 microM). In rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, TROX-1 inhibited omega-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive calcium currents (Ca(v)2.2 channel currents), with greater potency under depolarized conditions (IC(50) = 0.4 microM) than under hyperpolarized conditions (IC(50) = 2.6 microM), indicating state-dependent Ca(v)2.2 channel block of native as well as recombinant channels. TROX-1 fully blocked calcium influx mediated by a mixture of Ca(v)2 channels in calcium imaging experiments in rat DRG neurons, indicating additional block of all Ca(v)2 family channels. TROX-1 reversed inflammatory-induced hyperalgesia with maximal effects equivalent to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and it reversed nerve injury-induced allodynia to the same extent as pregabalin and duloxetine. In contrast, no significant reversal of hyperalgesia was observed in Ca(v)2.2 gene-deleted mice. Mild impairment of motor function in the Rotarod test and cardiovascular functions were observed at 20- to 40-fold higher plasma concentrations than required for analgesic activities. TROX-1 demonstrates that an orally available state-dependent Ca(v)2 channel blocker may achieve a therapeutic window suitable for the treatment of chronic pain.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / adverse effects
  • Analgesics / pharmacokinetics
  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Baroreflex / drug effects
  • Biological Availability
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / adverse effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacokinetics
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type / genetics
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type / physiology*
  • Calcium Channels, R-Type / physiology
  • Cation Transport Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Dogs
  • Ganglia, Spinal / drug effects
  • Ganglia, Spinal / physiology
  • Hyperalgesia / drug therapy
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / chemically induced
  • Indoles / adverse effects
  • Indoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / etiology
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Triazoles / adverse effects
  • Triazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Triazoles / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-3-(pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one
  • Analgesics
  • Cacna1b protein, mouse
  • Cacna1b protein, rat
  • Cacna1e protein, rat
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type
  • Calcium Channels, R-Type
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Indoles
  • Triazoles