Stereoselectivity of the enantiomers of trihexyphenidyl and its methiodide at muscarinic receptor subtypes.

High stereoselectivity was observed for the enantiomers of trihexyphenidyl and trihexyphenidyl methiodide at muscarinic M1-receptors in field-stimulated rabbit vas deferens and at M2 alpha- and M2 beta-receptors in guinea-pig atrium and ileum, respectively. Considerably higher affinities (up to 1700-fold) were found for the (R)-(-)-enantiomers. The stereochemical demands made by the muscarinic receptor subtypes were most stringent at the M1-receptors. The (R)-(-)-enantiomers were found to be potent M1-selective antagonists (pA2 = 10.1/10.6). They showed a 91- and 45-fold selectivity for M1- over M2 alpha-receptors, respectively.