Pharmacology of L-655,240 (3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-5-fluoro-3-methyl-indol-2-yl]2,2-dimethylpro pan oic acid); a potent, selective thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide antagonist.

L-655,240 (3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-5-fluoro-3-methyl-indol-2-yl]2,2-dimethylpropa noic acid) has been studied in vitro on the guinea-pig tracheal chain, pulmonary artery and thoracic aorta ring and shown to be a potent, competitive antagonist of contractions induced by the prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue, U-44069 (pA2 values 8.0, 8.4 and 8.0 respectively). Selectivity on the guinea-pig trachea was indicated by non-competitive antagonism of contractions induced by prostaglandin D2 and minimal activity against contractions induced by leukotriene D4, prostaglandin F2 alpha, serotonin, histamine and acetylcholine. L-655,240 was a potent inhibitor of the aggregation of washed human platelets induced by U-44069 (IC50 value 7 X 10(-9) M) and inhibited aggregation of human platelet rich plasma induced by U-44069, U-46619, thromboxane A2 and collagen but not ADP or platelet activating factor. In vivo i.v. L-655,240 administered to guinea-pigs inhibited bronchoconstriction induced by i.v. U-44069 and arachidonic acid (ED50 values 0.09 and 0.23 mg kg-1) but not histamine, acetylcholine or serotonin. When administered to rhesus monkeys (3 and 10 mg/kg p.o.), L-655,240 inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by U-44069 but not ADP. It is concluded that L-655,240 is a potent, selective, orally active thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide antagonist.