On the basis of a hypothesis that cyclization and alkylation of the diamine part in formula 1 may give highly active compounds, a new series of 5-isoquinolinesulfonamide derivatives, shown as formula 2, were prepared from cyclic diamines. Their vasodilatory effects were subsequently evaluated in vivo according to the increase in arterial blood flow after the formulas were injected locally to the femoral and/or vertebral arteries of dogs. Cyclization of the diamine structure in formula 1 gave very potent vasodilators: 6 and 14. Acylation and sulfonylation of terminal amino nitrogen afforded much less potent compounds. In contrast to the hypothesis, alkylation on the ring carbon and the terminal nitrogen of the cyclic amine afforded less active compounds except for compound 11. The most active compounds, 6, 11 and 14, showed more potent vasodilatory effects and more selective activity to the vertebral artery than either trapidil or diltiazem.