Structure-activity relationships of trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine antagonists for mu- and kappa-opioid receptors.

A series of racemic N-substituted trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidines were evaluated for opioid agonist and antagonist activity at mu and kappa receptors. Several highly potent mu and kappa antagonists were discovered; however, no compounds with high selectivity for either the mu or kappa receptor were identified. Importantly, no derivative was found to have significant opioid agonist activity. Two derivatives were resolved, and the activities of the enantiomers were investigated. Only a limited stereochemical effect on opioid receptor selectivities was observed. The structure-activity relationships described establish the existence of an important lipophilic binding site distal to the nitrogen for both mu and kappa receptors and confirm the pure opioid antagonist pharmacophore nature of the trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine structure.