Methods for Treatment of Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accidents Using an ETB Receptor Agonist

Abstract

Methods of using an ET.sub.B receptor agonist, such as IRL-1620, for the treatment of stroke or cerebrovascular accidents are disclosed. The ET.sub.B receptor agonist is used alone or in combination with a second agent useful in the treatment of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident.

Claims

1. A method of treating a stroke or cerebrovascular accident comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an ET.sub.B receptor agonist to an individual in need thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the stroke or cerebrovascular accident is caused by thrombosis, embolism, or hemorrhage.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the ET.sub.B receptor agonist is selected from the group consisting of N-Succinyl-[Glu.sup.9, Ala.sup.11,15] Endothelin 1, ET-3, sarafotoxin 6c, N-Ac-Ala(11,15)-endothelin-1 (6-21), Ala(1, 3, 11, 15)ET-1, and mixtures thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the ET.sub.B receptor agonist comprises N-Succinyl-[Glu.sup.9, Ala.sup.11,15] Endothelin 1.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a second therapeutic agent useful in the treatment of stroke or cerebrovascular accident.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second therapeutic agent comprises a neuroprotective agent.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the neuroprotective agent is selected from the group consisting of a thrombolytic agent, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, an ET.sub.A antagonist, an oxygen carrier, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the thrombolytic agent comprises tissue plasminogen activator.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent is selected from the group consisting of erythropoietin, darbepoetin, epoetin alfa, and mixtures thereof.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the oxygen carrier comprises a hemoglobin-based blood substitute, a perfluorocarbon-based blood substitute, or a mixture thereof.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the ET.sub.A antagonist is selected from sulfosoxazole, clazosentan, atrasentan, tezosentan, bosentan, sitaxsentan, enrasentan, BMS 207940, BMS 193884, BMS 182874, J 104132, VML 588/Ro 61 1790, T-0115, TAK 044, BQ 788, TBC2576, TBC3214, PD180988, ABT 546, SB247083, RPR118031A, BQ123, and mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein the neuroprotective agent is selected from the group consisting of argatroban, alfimeprase, tenecteplase, ancrod, sildenafil, insulin, insulin growth factor, magnesium sulfate, human serum albumin, caffeinol, microplasmin, a statin, eptifibatide, tinzaparin, enecadin, citicoline, edaravone, cilostazol, hypothermia, and mixtures thereof.

13. The method of claim 5 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist and the second therapeutic agent are administered simultaneously.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist and the second therapeutic agent are administered from a single composition.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist and the second therapeutic agent are administered from separate compositions.

16. The method of claim 5 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist and the second therapeutic agent are administered separately.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist is administered prior to the second therapeutic agent.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist is administered after the second therapeutic agent.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist is administered in an amount of about 0.005 to about 500 micrograms per dose.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the ET.sub.B agonist is administered in an amount of about 0.005 to about 50 micrograms per kilogram per min infusion.

21. A kit comprising: (a) a packaged composition comprising an ET.sub.B agonist; (b) optionally, a packaged composition comprising a second therapeutic agent useful in a treatment of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident, (c) an insert providing instructions for a simultaneous or sequential administration of (a), or (a) and (b), to treat the stroke or other cerebrovascular accident in a human; and (c) a container for (a), (b), and (c).

22. A kit comprising: (a) a packaged composition comprising an ET.sub.B agonist and a second therapeutic agent useful in the treatment of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident; (b) an insert providing instructions for administration of (a) to treat the stroke or other cerebrovascular accident in a human; and (c) a container for (a) and (b).

23. A composition comprising (a) an ET.sub.B agonist, (b) a neuroprotective agent, and (c) an optional excipient and/or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates the molecular structure of IRL-1620;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (3 nmol/kg, iv) on cerebral blood perfusion of urethane anesthetized rat using Laser Doppler Flowmetry, wherein IRL-1620 significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion compared to baseline;

[0034] FIG. 3 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (3 nmol/kg, iv) on cerebral and renal blood perfusion of urethane anesthetized rat using Laser Doppler Flowmetry, wherein IRL-1620 significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion and decreased renal blood perfusion compared to baseline;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (3 nmol/kg, iv or 5 μg/kg, iv) on blood pressure and heart rate of urethane anesthetized rat, i.e., a transient decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate which returned to normal quickly;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) and ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on cerebral blood flow, wherein IRL-1620 caused an increase in cerebral blood flow that persisted for about 60 minutes;

[0037] FIG. 6 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (ET.sub.A antagonists) (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) on cerebral blood flow;

[0038] FIG. 7 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on cerebral blood flow;

[0039] FIG. 8 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) and ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on renal blood flow, wherein IRL-1620 elicited a decrease in renal blood flow that persisted for about 15 minutes;

[0040] FIG. 9 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and, BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) on renal blood flow;

[0041] FIG. 10 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on renal blood flow, wherein no pretreatment significantly altered the effect of ET-1 on renal blood flow;

[0042] FIG. 11 shows the effect of administration of IRL-1620 (5.0 μg/kg, i.v.) and ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on mean arterial pressure;

[0043] FIG. 12 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) on mean arterial pressure; and

[0044] FIG. 13 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on mean arterial pressure, wherein pretreatment with BQ788 and BMS failed to alter the effect of ET-1 on mean arterial pressure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0045] The present invention is described in connection with preferred embodiments, however, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is understood that, given the above description of the embodiments of the invention, various modifications can be made by one skilled in the art. Such modifications are intended to be encompassed by the claims below.

[0046] As used herein, the terms “endothelin.sub.B receptor agonist”, “ET.sub.B receptor agonist”, and “ET.sub.B agonist” are used interchangeably.

[0047] As used herein, the terms “treat,” “treating,” “treatment,” and the like refer to reducing or ameliorating a disorder and/or symptoms associated therewith. Although not precluded, treating a disorder or condition does not require that the disorder, condition or symptoms associated therewith be completely eliminated. As used herein, the terms “treat,” “treating,” “treatment,” and the like may include “prophylactic treatment” which refers to reducing the probability of redeveloping a disorder or condition, or of a recurrence of a controlled disease or condition, in a subject who does not have, but is at risk of or is susceptible to redeveloping a disorder or condition or a recurrence of a disorder or condition.

[0048] The term “therapeutically effective amount” or “effective dose” as used herein refers to an amount of the active ingredient(s) that is(are) sufficient, when administered by a method of the invention, to efficaciously deliver the agents for the treatment of stroke or a cerebrovascular accident.

[0049] The term “container” means any receptacle and closure therefor suitable for storing, shipping, dispensing, and/or handling a pharmaceutical product.

[0050] The term “insert” means information accompanying a pharmaceutical product that provides a description of how to administer the product, along with the safety and efficacy data required to allow the physician, pharmacist, and patient to make an informed decision regarding use of the product. The package insert generally is regarded as the “label” for a pharmaceutical product.

[0051] “Concurrent administration,” “administered in combination,” “simultaneous administration” and similar phrases mean that a composition comprising two or more agents are administered concurrently to the subject being treated. By “concurrently,” it is meant that each agent is administered simultaneously or sequentially in any order at different points in time. However, if not administered simultaneously, they are, in one aspect, administered sufficiently closely in time so as to provide the desired treatment effect of the combination of agents. Suitable dosing intervals and dosing order of the agents will be readily-apparent to those skilled in the art. It is also contemplated that two or more agents are administered in separate compositions, and in one aspect, one agent is administered prior to or subsequent to administration of the other agent. Prior administration refers to administration of the agents within the range of one day (24 hours) prior to treatment up to 30 minutes before treatment. It is further contemplated that one agent is administered subsequent to administration of the other agent. Subsequent administration is meant to describe administration from 30 minutes after administration of the other agent up to one day (24 hours) after administration of the first agent. Within 30 minutes to 24 hours may include administration at 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 20 or 24 hours.

[0052] The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and is not a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0053] It has been estimated 40 million Americans will be age 65 or older in 2010. An aging population undoubtedly will result in an increased number of cases of chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. In addition, an explosive increase in the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes has occurred, and related complications, like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerotic vascular disease, also are expected to increase.

[0054] Each year, about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke. About 500,000 are first attacks and about 200,000 are recurrent attacks. On average, someone in the United States has a stroke every 45 seconds. Also on average, every 3 to 4 minutes someone dies of a stroke. Of all strokes, 87% are ischemic. Intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage strokes account for the remainder. When considered separately from other cardiovascular diseases, stroke ranks third among all causes of death, behind diseases of the heart and cancer. From 1979 to 2004; the number of inpatient discharges from short-stay hospitals with stroke as the first listed diagnosis increased 21% to 906,000. The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke for 2007 was $62.7 billion.

[0055] Each year, about 46,000 more women than men have a stroke. Male stroke incidence rates are greater than female rates at younger ages, but not at older ages. The male/female incidence was 1.25 in those 55 to 64 years of age, 1.50 in those 65 to 74 years of age, 1.07 in those 75 to 84 years of age, and 0.76 in those above 85 years of age. Among American Indians/Alaska natives age 18 and older, 5.1% have had a stroke. Among blacks or African Americans the rate was 3.2%, among whites the rate was 2.5%, and among Asians the rate was 2.4%.

[0056] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the clot-dissolving drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to treat strokes caused by blood clots, which cause about 80 percent of all strokes, tPA dissolves the clot and restores blood flow to the brain, tPA carries a risk of bleeding in the brain, but its benefits outweigh the risks when prescribed and administered properly.

[0057] It now has been discovered that administration of an ET.sub.B receptor agonist, like IRL-1620, together with an optional, neuroprotective agent, like tissue plasminogen activator, can greatly reduce the neurological deficit in patients suffering from stroke by increasing blood perfusion and reducing damage to the brain.

[0058] The methods described herein benefit from the use of an ET.sub.B agonist and an optional neuroprotective agent useful in the treatment and management of strokes and other cerebrovascular accidents. The ET.sub.B receptor agonist and optional neuroprotective agent can be administered simultaneously or sequentially to achieve the desired effect.

[0059] The present invention therefore is directed to compositions and methods of treating strokes and other cerebrovascular accidents. The present invention also is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an ET.sub.B receptor agonist and a second therapeutic agent useful in the treatment of strokes and other cerebrovascular accidents, e.g., a neuroprotective agent. Further provided are kits comprising an ET.sub.B receptor agonist and, optionally, a second therapeutic agent useful in the treatment of strokes and other cerebrovascular accidents, packaged separately or together, and an insert having instructions for using these active agents.

[0060] As demonstrated below, IRL-1620 increases cerebral blood perfusion and can be used to increase blood perfusion in patients suffering from stroke. IRL-1620 and other ET.sub.B agonists can be particularly useful in treating conditions, like cerebral ischemia, where an increase in cerebral blood flow can help in reducing the penumbra and can greatly reduce the neurological deficits due to stroke.

[0061] In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that a selective ET.sub.B receptor agonist, as exemplified by IRL-1620, can be used for the treatment of stroke and other cerebrovasuclar accidents. An ET.sub.B receptor agonist utilized in the present invention is not limited, and can be any ET.sub.B receptor agonist known in the art. Preferably, the ET.sub.B receptor agonist is selective for the ET.sub.B receptor, i.e., is more selective to ET.sub.B receptors than ET.sub.A receptors by a factor of at least 10.sup.3.

[0062] Specific examples of ET.sub.B agonists useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, IRL-1620, ET-3, sarafotoxin 6c, BQ3020, Ala(1, 3, 11, 15)ET-1, and mixtures thereof. In particular, sarafotoxin 6c (i.e., SFT6C) has an amino acid sequence:

TABLE-US-00001 (SEQ ID NO: 2) H-Cys-Thr-Cys-Asn-Asp-Met-Thr-Asp-Glu-Glu-Cys-Leu- Asn-Phe-Cys-His-Gln-Asp-Val-Ile-Trp-OH (Disulfide bridge: 1-15 and 3-11);
and a molecular weight of 2515.6.

[0063] IRL-1620, also termed N-Succinyl-[Glu.sup.9, Ala1.sup.1,15]-Endothelin 1 fragment 8-21, has amino acid sequence Suc-Asp-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Tyr-Phe-Ala-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp (SEQ ID NO: 1); a molecular formula of C.sub.86H.sub.117N.sub.17O.sub.27; and a molecular weight of 1820.95.

[0064] Endothelin 3 (ET-3) has an amino acid sequence of Cys-Thr-Cys-Phe-Thr-Tyr-Lys-Asp-Lys-Glu-Cys-Val-Tyr-Tyr-Cys-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp [Disulfide Bridges: 1-15; 3-11] (SEQ ID NO: 3); a molecular formula of C.sub.121H.sub.168N.sub.26O.sub.33S.sub.4; and a molecular weight of 2643.04.

[0065] BQ3020, also termed (N-Ac-Ala(11,15)-endothelin-1 (6-21)) and N-Aceytyl-[Ala11,15]-Endothelin 1 fragment 6-21, has an amino acid sequence of Ac-Leu-Met-Asp-Lys-Glu-Ala-Val-Tyr-Phe-Ala-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp (SEQ ID NO: 4); a molecular formula of C.sub.96H.sub.140N.sub.20O.sub.2S.sub.5; and a molecular weight of 2008.32.

[0066] Ala(1,3,11,15)ET-1 (CAS Number 121204-87-3) has an amino acid sequence of Ala-Ser-Ala-Ser-Ser-Leu-Met-Asp-Lys-Glu-Ala-Val-Tyr-Phe-Ala-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp (SEQ ID NO: 5), a molecular formula of C.sub.109H.sub.163N.sub.25O.sub.32S; and a molecular weight of 2367.67.

[0067] Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention discloses a method of preventing or treating an individual suffering from a stroke or other cerebrovascular accident comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an ET.sub.B agonist to the individual. The stroke or cerebrovascular accident can be caused, for example, by thrombosis, embolism, or hemorrhage. In a preferred embodiment, the ET.sub.B receptor agonist comprises N-Succinyl-[Glu.sup.9, Ala.sup.11,15] Endothelin 1 (IRL-1620).

[0068] Pharmaceutical compositions containing the ET.sub.B agonist are suitable for administration to humans. Typically, the pharmaceutical compositions are sterile, and contain no toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic compounds that would cause an adverse reaction when administered.

[0069] The method of the present invention can be accomplished using an ET.sub.B agonist. The ET.sub.B agonist can be administered as the neat compound, or as a pharmaceutical composition. Administration of the pharmaceutical composition, or neat ET.sub.B agonist, can be performed during or after the onset of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident.

[0070] The ET.sub.B agonists also can be administered in conjunction with one or more second therapeutic agent useful in the treatment of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident. The second therapeutic agent is different from an ET.sub.B agonist. The ET.sub.B agonist and second therapeutic agent can be administered simultaneously or sequentially. In addition, the ET.sub.B agonist and second therapeutic agent can be administered from a single composition or two separate compositions. Preferred second therapeutic agents comprise a neuroprotective agent.

[0071] Nonlimiting examples of second therapeutic agents include, neuroprotective agents like, but are not limited to, a thrombolytic agent (such as, but not limited to, tissue plasminogen activator), an ET.sub.A antagonist (such as, but not limited to, sulfosoxazole, clazosentan, atrasentan, tezosentan, bosentan, sitaxsentan, enrasentan, BMS 207940, BMS 193884, BMS 182874, J 104132, VML 588/Ro 61 1790, T-0115, TAK 044, BQ 788, TBC2576, TBC3214, PD180988, ABT 546, SB247083, RPR118031A, and BQ123), an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (such as erythropoietin, darbepoetin, and epoetin alfa), or an oxygen carrier (such as, a hemoglobin-based blood substitute or a perfluorocarbon based blood substitute). Other neuroprotective agents that can be administered in combination with the ET.sub.B receptor agonist include, but are not limited to, argatroban, alfimeprase, tenecteplase, ancrod, sildenafil, insulin and its growth factor, magnesium sulfate, human serum albumin, caffeinol (combination of caffeine and alcohol), microplasmin, statins, eptifibatide, tinzaparin, enecadin, citicoline, edaravone, cilostazol, hypothermia, or mixtures thereof.

[0072] The neuroprotective agent is administered in an amount to provide its desired therapeutic effect. The effective dosage range for each neuroprotective agent is known in the art, and the neuroprotective agent is administered to an individual in need thereof within such established ranges.

[0073] The ET.sub.B receptor agonist and the neuroprotective agent can be administered together as a single-unit dose or separately as multi-unit doses, wherein the ET.sub.B receptor agonist is administered before the neuroprotective agent or vice versa. One or more dose of the ET.sub.B receptor agonist and/or one or more dose of the neuroprotective agent can be administered. It is further contemplated that administration of the agents occurs within 30 minutes up to about one day (24 hours).

[0074] An ET.sub.B receptor agonist used in a method present invention can be administered in an amount of about 0.005 to about 500 micrograms per dose, about 0.05 to about 250 micrograms per dose, or about 0.5 to about 50 micrograms per dose. For example, the ET.sub.B agonist can be administered, per dose, in an amount of about 0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50, or 500 micrograms, including all doses between 0.005 and 500 micrograms.

[0075] Alternatively, the ET.sub.B receptor agonist can be administered in an amount of about 0.005 to about 50 micrograms per kilogram per min infusion, or from about 0.05 to about 5 micrograms per kilogram per min infusion. For example, the ET.sub.B agonist can be administered in an amount of about 0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 5, or 50 in micrograms per kilogram per min infusion.

[0076] The ET.sub.B agonist can be formulated in suitable excipients for oral administration or for parenteral administration. Such excipients are well known in the art. The ET.sub.B agonists typically are present in such a composition in an amount of about 0.1% to about 75% by weight of the composition.

[0077] The ET.sub.B agonists can be administered by any suitable route, for example by oral, buccal, inhalation, sublingual, rectal, vaginal, intracisternal or intrathecal through lumbar puncture, transurethral, nasal, percutaneous, i.e., transdermal, or parenteral (including intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intracoronary, intradermal, intramammary, intraperitoneal, intraarticular, intrathecal, retrobulbar, intrapulmonary injection and/or surgical implantation at a particular site) administration. Parenteral administration can be accomplished using a needle and syringe or using a high pressure technique.

[0078] The pharmaceutical compositions include those wherein the ET.sub.B agonist is administered in an effective amount to achieve its intended purpose. Determination of a therapeutically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.

[0079] The exact formulation, route of administration, and dosage is determined by an individual physician in view of the patient's condition. Dosage amount and interval can be adjusted individually to provide levels of the ET.sub.B agonist that is sufficient to maintain therapeutic or prophylactic effects. The amount of pharmaceutical composition administered is dependent on the subject being treated, on the subject's weight, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration, and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

[0080] Specifically, for administration to a human in the treatment of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident, oral dosages of an ET.sub.B agonist, individually generally are about 0.005 to about 500 micrograms daily for an average adult patient (70 kg), typically one dose per day or divided into two to three doses per day. Thus, for a typical adult patient, individual doses contain about 0.005 to about 500 micrograms ET.sub.B agonist, in a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle or carrier, for administration in single or multiple doses, once or several times per day. Dosages for intravenous, buccal, or sublingual administration typically are about 0.005 to about 250 micrograms/kg per single dose as required. In practice, the physician determines the actual dosing regimen that is most suitable for an individual patient, and the dosage varies with the age, weight, and response of the particular patient. The above dosages are exemplary of the average case, but there can be individual instances in which higher or lower dosages are merited, and such are within the scope of this invention.

[0081] The ET.sub.B agonists can be administered alone, or in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention thus can be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries that facilitate processing of the ET.sub.B agonists into preparations that can be used pharmaceutically.

[0082] These pharmaceutical compositions can be manufactured in a conventional manner, e.g., by conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophilizing processes. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen. When a therapeutically effective amount of the ET.sub.B agonists are administered orally, the composition typically is in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder, solution, or elixir. When administered in tablet form, the composition additionally can contain a solid carrier, such as a gelatin or an adjuvant. The tablet, capsule, and powder contain about 1% to about 95% of an ET.sub.B agonist, and preferably from about 1% to about 50% ET.sub.B agonist. When administered in liquid form, a liquid carrier, such as water, petroleum, or oils of animal or plant origin, can be added. The liquid form of the composition can further contain physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solutions, or glycols. When administered in liquid form, the composition contains about 0.1% to about 90% by weight of ET.sub.B agonists, and preferably about 1% to about 50% of ET.sub.B agonists.

[0083] When a therapeutically effective amount of the ET.sub.B agonist is administered by intravenous, cutaneous, or subcutaneous injection, the composition is in the form of a pyrogen-free, parenterally acceptable aqueous solution. The preparation of such parenterally acceptable solutions, having due regard to pH, isotonicity, stability, and the like, is within the skill in the art. A preferred composition for intravenous, cutaneous, or subcutaneous injection typically contains, an isotonic vehicle. Preferably, the ET.sub.B agonist or composition containing the ET.sub.B agonist is administered by intravenous or bolus injection, or infusion with other fluids over a 10-30 minute span or over several hours.

[0084] Suitable ET.sub.B agonists can be readily combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well-known in the art. Such carriers enable the active agents to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated. Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by adding the ET.sub.B agonist to a solid excipient, optionally grinding the resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients include, for example, fillers and cellulose preparations. If desired, disintegrating agents can be added.

[0085] The ET.sub.B agonists can be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection can be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampules or in multidose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions can take such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and can contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing, and/or dispersing agents.

[0086] Pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active agent in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the ET.sub.B agonists can be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils or synthetic fatty acid esters. Aqueous injection suspensions can contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension. Optionally, the suspension also can contain suitable stabilizers or agents that increase the solubility of the compounds and allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. Alternatively, a present composition can be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

[0087] The ET.sub.B agonists also can be formulated in rectal compositions, such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases. In addition to the formulations described previously, the ET.sub.B agonists also can be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long-acting formulations can be administered by implantation (for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the ET.sub.B agonists can be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example, as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins.

[0088] In particular, the ET.sub.B agonists can be administered orally, buccally, or sublingually in the form of tablets containing excipients, such as starch or lactose, or in capsules or ovules, either alone or in admixture with excipients, or in the form of elixirs or suspensions containing flavoring or coloring agents. Such liquid preparations can be prepared with pharmaceutically acceptable additives, such as suspending agents. The ET.sub.B agonists also can be injected parenterally, for example, intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intracoronarily. For parenteral administration, the endothelin agonists are best used in the form of a sterile aqueous solution which can contain other substances, for example, salts or monosaccharides, such as mannitol or glucose, to make the solution isotonic with blood.

[0089] As an additional embodiment, the invention includes kits which comprise one or more compounds or compositions packaged in a manner that facilitates their use to practice methods of the invention. In one embodiment, the kit includes a compound or composition described herein as useful for practice of a method (e.g., a composition comprising an ET.sub.B agonist and an optional neuroprotective agent), packaged in a container, such as a sealed bottle or vessel, with a label affixed to the container or included in the kit that describes use of the compound or composition to practice the method of the invention. Preferably, the compound or composition is packaged in a unit dosage form. The kit further can include a device suitable for administering the composition according to the intended route of administration.

[0090] It has been found that an ET.sub.B receptor agonist, like IRL-1620, can treat stroke and other cerebrovascular accidents. Tests and data herein show that ET.sub.B agonists are useful agents to treat stroke and other cerebrovascular accidents.

Experimental Procedures and Results

[0091] IRL-1620, a highly selective ET.sub.B receptor agonist, transiently increases tumor blood flow and has been shown to enhance tumor delivery and efficacy of anticancer drugs. A phase 1 clinical trial has recently begun for the use of IRL-1620 in patients with recurrent or progressive carcinoma.

[0092] Although known to increase tumor blood flow due to the unique structure of tumor vasculature, the effect of administration of IRL-1620 on other areas of the body that display distinctive vascular structures, specifically the cerebral blood vessels, has not been studied. The present studies were conducted to determine the alteration in cerebral blood flow caused by intravenous administration of the ET.sub.B receptor agonist IRL-1620.

Methods

[0093] Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 323±4 grams (g) were anesthetized with urethane (ethyl carbamate, Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.) dissolved in isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl, Hospira, Inc., Lake Forest, Ill.). The rats were administered a dose of 0.15 g per 100 g body weight via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection.

[0094] Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: The femoral vein and artery were cannulated. The arterial cannula was connected to a Gould P23 ID pressure transducer for recording the blood pressure on a Grass P7D polygraph through a 7PI preamplifier. The heart rate was recorded through a 7P4B Grass tachograph, triggered from blood pressure signals. Drugs were administered via the venous-cannula.

[0095] Cerebral Perfusion: A burr hole was drilled into the rat skull about 2 millimeters (mm) to the left of midline. Cerebrovascular perfusion was measured via a fiber optic probe (PF407) applied to the surface of the rat brain. The probe was connected to a Periflux PF2b 4000 Laser Doppler Flowmetry unit (Perimed, Stockholm, Sweden).

[0096] Renal Perfusion: The right kidney was dissected retroperitoneally. Renal perfusion was measured via a fiber optic probe (PF408) applied to the surface of the rat kidney. The probe was connected to a Periflux PF2b 4000 Laser Doppler Flowmetry unit (Perimed, Stockholm, Sweden).

[0097] Blood Gas Analysis: Arterial blood gases were monitored to determine the effects on pH, pCO2, and pO2. Blood was drawn from the arteriole cannula and analyzed using a GEM Premier 3000 unit (Instrument Laboratory, Lexington, Mass.).

Study Design

[0098] The rats were randomly selected for various studies. Following surgery the rats were allowed to stabilize for 30 minutes and a 15 minutes baseline recording of all parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, cerebral blood flow, and renal blood flow) was obtained prior to the administration of the pretreatment followed by IRL-1620 (Suc-[Glu 9, Ala 11,15], American Peptide Co, Inc., Sunnyville, Calif.) or ET-1 (Ala 1,3,11,15, RBI Sigma, Natick, Mass.). BQ-788, a selective endothelin B antagonist, is the sodium salt of N-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl-L-gamma-methylleucyl-D-1-methoxycarbonyl triptophanyl-DNIe (see Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91, pp. 4892-4896 (1994)) BMS is BMS 182, 874, which is a selective endothelin A antagonist having a structure

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[0099] Study 1

[0100] Group 1: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with saline 15 minutes (min) prior to administration of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0101] Group 2: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with BMS (5 mg/kg, i.v.) 15 min prior to administration of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0102] Group 3: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with BMS (15 mg/kg, i.v.) 15 min prior to administration of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0103] Group 4: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) 15 min prior to administration of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0104] Study 2

[0105] Group 1: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with saline 15 min prior to administration of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0106] Group 2: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with BMS (5 mg/kg, i.v.) 15 min prior to administration of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0107] Group 3: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with BMS (15 mg/kg, i.v.) 15 min prior to administration of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0108] Group 4: Animals (n=4) were pretreated with BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) 15 min prior to administration of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.).

[0109] Blood pressure, heart rate, cerebral blood perfusion, and renal blood perfusion all were recorded for 2 hours following the final injection. Blood gases were analyzed prior to administration of any drugs, and at 60 and 120 min following administration of IRL-1620 or ET-1. At the end of each experiment, the animals were euthanized with an overdose of urethane i.v. In the figures, all data values are presented as mean±SEM. One-sample t-tests and one-way ANOVAs were used to test the differences within and between the groups. A P value of P<0.05 was considered significant.

[0110] FIG. 2 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (3 nmol/kg, iv) on cerebral blood perfusion of urethane anesthetized rats using Laser Doppler Flowmetry. IRL-1620 significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion compared to baseline.

[0111] FIG. 3 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (3 nmol/kg, iv) on cerebral and renal blood perfusion of urethane anesthetized rat using Laser Doppler Flowmetry. IRL-1620 significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion and decreased renal blood perfusion compared to baseline.

[0112] FIG. 4 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (3 nmol/kg, iv or 5 μg/kg, iv) on blood pressure and heart rate of urethane anesthetized rat. A transient decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate were observed which returned to normal quickly.

[0113] FIG. 5 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) and ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on cerebral blood flow. IRL-1620 caused an increase in cerebral blood flow of 12.79%, 18.17%, and 17.92% at 5, 10, and 15 min, respectively. This increase persisted for about 60 minutes. ET-1 elicited no significant change in cerebral blood flow.

[0114] FIG. 6 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (ET.sub.A antagonists) (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) on cerebral blood flow. BQ788 effectively blocked the effect of IRL-1620 on cerebral blood flow, while the high dose of BMS caused a transient increase of 37.99% in cerebral blood flow 1 minute after administration of IRL-1620.

[0115] FIG. 7 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on cerebral blood flow. Pretreatment with the ET.sub.A antagonists produced no significant change to the effect of ET-1 on cerebral blood flow.

[0116] FIG. 8 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) and ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on renal blood flow. IRL-1620 elicited a decrease in renal blood flow of 16.94%, 15.05%, and 3.85% at 1, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively. This decrease persisted for approximately 15 minutes. ET-1 elicited a decrease in renal blood flow of 40.27%, 50.10%, and 26.33% at 1, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively. This decrease in renal blood flow also persisted for about 15 minutes before returning to basal levels.

[0117] FIG. 9 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) on renal blood flow. BQ788 effectively blocked the effect of IRL-1620 on renal blood flow, while the BMS caused a sustained decrease in renal blood flow up to 120 minutes after IRL-1620 administration.

[0118] FIG. 10 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on renal blood flow. No pretreatment significantly altered the effect of ET-1 on renal blood flow.

[0119] FIG. 11 shows the effect of administration of IRL-1620 (5.0 μg/kg, i.v.) and ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on mean arterial pressure. Mean arterial pressure decreased 33.32%, 23.88%, and 13.66% at 0.2, 0.5, and 1 minute following administration of IRL-1620. Mean arterial pressure decreased 43.16%, 37.80%, and 19.30% at 0.2, 0.5, and 1 minute, respectively, following ET-1 administration. The subsequent hypertension following ET-1 administration was recorded as an increase in mean arterial pressure of 12.72%, 25.56% and 28.49% at 5, 10, and 15 minutes, respectively

[0120] FIG. 12 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) on mean arterial pressure. BQ788 effectively blocked the effect of IRL-1620 on mean arterial pressure, while pretreatment with both doses of BMS produced transient hypotension similar to that observed in animals pretreated with saline.

[0121] FIG. 13 shows the effect of pretreatment with BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg, i.v.) and BQ788 (1 μg/kg, i.v.) on the effect of ET-1 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.) on mean arterial pressure. Pretreatment with BQ788 and BMS failed to alter the effect of ET-1 on mean arterial pressure.

[0122] The following Table 1 shows the effect of IRL-1620 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) on heart rate. The values are expressed as mean±SEM. Administration of IRL-1620 when animals were-pretreated with either saline or BMS (5 and 15 mg/kg) caused an increase in heat rate. Pretreatment with BQ788 effectively blocked the effect of IRL-1620 on heart rate. No significant alteration in heart rate was seen after administration of ET-1, with or without pretreatment.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Time (min) Pretreatment 0 1 5 10 15 30 45 60 90 120 Saline 352 ± 3  368 ± 6  351 ± 5  351 ± 4  353 ± 4  360 ± 3  370 ± 2  379 ± 3  392 ± 2  382 ± 8  1 μg/kg 344 ± 5  350 ± 6  345 ± 4  345 ± 4  347 ± 3  347 ± 4  350 ± 6  351 ± 9  351 ± 13 353 ± 13 BQ788 5 mg/kg 339 ± 6  365 ± 4  357 ± 13 345 ± 14 345 ± 14 356 ± 12 367 ± 14 370 ± 14 350 ± 9  327 ± 12 BMS 15 mg/kg 405 ± 11 425 ± 11 381 ± 13 380 ± 11 384 ± 11 387 ± 17 387 ± 21 395 ± 19 393 ± 21 386 ± 18 BMS

[0123] The following Table 2 shows the effect of IRL-1620 and ET-1 on arterial blood gases. Neither IRL-1620 nor ET-1 significantly affected blood gases.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 pH pO2 pCO2 Time (min) 0 60 120 0 60 120 0 60 120 IRL-1620 7.32 ± 0.01 7.27 ± 0.01 7.29 ± 0.01 103 ± 3 99 ± 9 113 ± 6 42 ± 2 46 ± 6 32 ± 3 (5 μg/kg, i.v.) ET-1 7.32 ± 0.01 7.29 ± 0.01 7.27 ± 0.01 118 ± 4 110 ± 2 116 ± 5 34 ± 3 40 ± 4 38 ± 4 (0.75 μg/kg, i.v.)

[0124] The above tests and data show that administration of IRL-1620 produces a significant increase in cerebral blood perfusion lasting about 60 minutes. This effect can be blocked via pretreatment with ET.sub.A receptor antagonist BQ-788.