Protective effects of the thromboxane receptor antagonists BM 13.177 and BM 13.505 against U 46619-induced sudden death in rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacology and pharmacodynamics of the thromboxane receptor antagonists, BM 13.177 and BM 13.505, for prevention of U 46619-induced sudden death in anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. The injection of U 46619 (100 micrograms/kg i.v.) produced sudden death typically between 5 and 15 min. Administration of 0.01 mg/kg BM 13.505 (i.v.) 0.1 h prior to the U 46619 challenge did not protect against sudden death, while doses of 0.03 mg/kg or greater protected completely (100% survival). A dose of 1 mg/kg BM 13.505 afforded protection to 2 h but not to 24 h, while a single dose of 30 mg/kg administered 24 h prior to the U 46619 challenge provided complete protection against the lethal event. Administration of BM 13.177 (30 mg/kg, i.v. or i.p.) blocked the effects of U 46619 when administered 0.1 h before the challenge, but not when given 2 or 3 h prior to the challenge with U 46619. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not block the effects of U 46619, indicating that formation of endogenous thromboxane does not play a major role in the lethal effects of U 46619, and that blockade of the lethal effects of U 46619 was specific for thromboxane receptor antagonists. These data demonstrate that BM 13.177 and BM 13.505 prevented sudden death produced by the injection of U 46619. At comparable doses of 30 mg/kg, the duration of action for BM 13.505 was was significantly greater than for BM 13.177. These data suggest that BM 13.177 and BM 13.505 may be useful for the investigation of diseases where thromboxane is involved.