Selectivity and potency of 2-alkyl analogues of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan (RX 781094) in peripheral systems.

The profiles of four analogues of idazoxan have been examined at alpha-adrenoceptors and the results compared to those obtained with idazoxan and yohimbine. The compounds possessed either a methyl (RX 801079), ethyl (RX 811033), n-propyl (RX 811054) or isopropenyl (RX 811005) group at the two position of idazoxan. The rank order of antagonist potency against UK-14,304 at prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors of the rat isolated vas deferens was RX 811054 greater than RX 811033 greater than idazoxan greater than RX 811005 greater than yohimbine = RX 801079. All compounds were competitive antagonists. The rank order of antagonist potency against noradrenaline at postjunctional alpha 1-adrenoceptors of the rat isolated anococcygeus muscle was RX 811054 = RX 811033 = idazoxan = yohimbine greater than RX 811005 = RX801079. All compounds were competitive antagonists. The rank order of alpha-adrenoceptor selectivity (alpha 2/alpha 1) was RX 811005 greater than RX 801079 greater than RX 811054 greater than RX 811033 greater than idazoxan greater than yohimbine. In pithed rats, intravenous administration of all compounds fully reversed the prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist effects of clonidine and guanabenz on electrically-induced contractions of the vas deferens and anococcygeus muscle respectively. In pithed rats the rank order of antagonist potency against UK-14,304 at cardiac prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors was RX 811054 greater than RX 811033 greater than idazoxan greater than yohimbine greater than RX 811005 greater than RX 801079. In contrast, the rank order of antagonist potency against cirazoline pressor effects (vascular postjunctional alpha 1-adrenoceptors) was RX 811054 greater than RX 811033 greater than yohimbine greater than idazoxan greater than RX 811005 greater than RX 801079. The rank order of alpha 2-adrenoceptor selectivity was RX 811033 = RX 801079 = RX 801005 greater than RX 811054 greater than idazoxan greater than yohimbine. Although idazoxan produced contractions of the anococcygeus muscle and increased blood pressure in pithed rats, three of the analogues (RX 811005, RX 801079 and RX 811033) were inactive. In conclusion, alkyl substitution in the 2-position of idazoxan can enhance either alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist potency or selectivity or both and furthermore, the weak partial alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist properties of idazoxan can be removed.