Fused piperidines as a novel class of potent and orally available transient receptor potential melastatin type 8 (TRPM8) antagonists

J Med Chem. 2012 Feb 23;55(4):1593-611. doi: 10.1021/jm2013634. Epub 2012 Feb 13.

Abstract

The transient receptor potential melastatin type 8 (TRPM8) is a nonselective cation channel primarily expressed in a subpopulation of sensory neurons that can be activated by a wide range of stimuli, including menthol, icilin, and cold temperatures (<25 °C). Antagonism of TRPM8 is currently under investigation as a new approach for the treatment of pain. As a result of our screening efforts, we identified tetrahydrothienopyridine 4 as an inhibitor of icilin-induced calcium influx in CHO cells expressing recombinant rat TRPM8. Exploration of the structure-activity relationships of 4 led to the identification of a potent and orally bioavailable TRPM8 antagonist, tetrahydroisoquinoline 87. Compound 87 demonstrated target coverage in vivo after oral administration in a rat pharmacodynamic model measuring the prevention of icilin-induced wet-dog shakes (WDS).

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Analgesics / chemical synthesis*
  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Piperidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Piperidines / chemistry
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • TRPM Cation Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrimidinones
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • Trpm8 protein, rat
  • icilin
  • Calcium