A nonpeptidyl secretagogue for growth hormone of the structure 3-amino-3-methyl-N-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-1-([2'-(1H-tetrazol-5 -yl) (1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl]methyl)-1H-1-benzazepin-3(R)-yl)-butanamid e (L-692,429) has been identified. L-692,429 synergizes with the natural growth hormone secretagogue growth hormone-releasing hormone and acts through an alternative signal transduction pathway. The mechanism of action of L-692,429 and studies with peptidyl and nonpeptidyl antagonists suggest that this molecule is a mimic of the growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 (GHRP-6). L-692,429 is an example of a nonpeptidyl specific secretagogue for growth hormone.

We report the synthesis of a series of phosphinic acid dipeptide analogues, NH2CH(R1)PO(OH)CH2CH(R2)CO2H, related to DAla-DAla. The best of these compounds are potent, essentially irreversible inhibitors of DAla-DAla ligase, and their preferred stereochemistry was shown by chiral synthesis of (1(S)-aminoethyl)(2(R)-carboxy-1-n-propyl)phosphinic acid, 12b, and by X-ray crystallography of its derivative benzyl [1(S)-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)-amino]ethyl](2(R)-carbomethoxy-1-propyl) phosphinate, 13, to correspond to the stereochemical configuration of DAla-DAla at both centers. A mechanism for the inhibition of DAla-DAla ligase by these compounds is proposed to involve an ATP-dependent formation of phosphorylated inhibitor within the enzyme's active site. The antibacterial activities of these compounds are modest although their spectra include both Gram-positive and Gram-negative susceptible organisms. The best antibacterial activity was shown by (1(S)-aminoethyl) [2-carboxy-2(R)-(methylthio)-1-ethyl]phosphinic acid, 3e, whose MIC's range from 4-128 micrograms/mL on nine of a panel of 11 bacterial organisms. Combination of one of the more active phosphinic acids 12b with the alanine racemase inhibitor fluoro-D-alanine enhances the antibacterial spectrum of the latter on several strains of bacteria and inhibits fluoro-D-alanine's self-reversal, which normally occurs at concentrations several fold higher than its MIC level. This inhibition of fluoro-D-alanine self-reversal is consistent with an involvement of DAla-DAla ligase inhibition in the antibacterial activity of these compounds.

L-692,585 is a 2-hydroxypropyl derivative of L-692,429, both novel non-peptidyl growth hormone (GH) secretagogues. The effects of single and repeated intravenous administration of L-692,585 on serum or plasma GH and other hormones in beagles were evaluated. In a balanced 8-dog dose-ranging study, compared to the saline control with a mean (+/- S.E.M.) after-dose serum GH peak of 6.1 +/- 1.3 ng/ml, L-692,585 significantly increased (P < 0.05) peak GH concentrations 4.3-fold (32.5 +/- 7.0 ng/ml) at a dose of 0.005 mg/kg, 7-fold (49.4 +/- 10.6 ng/ml) at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg, and 21-fold (134.3 +/- 29.0 ng/ml) at a dose of 0.10 mg/kg. Total GH release, expressed as area under the curve, showed a similar dose-dependent increase. Peak GH levels were recorded at 5 or 15 min after dosing with the levels returning to near baseline by 90 min. Serum cortisol levels were increased above saline control levels in a dose-dependent manner; however, the increases were modest compared to the GH increases. Based on peak responses and total GH release, L-692,585 was 10- to 20-fold and 2- to 2.5-fold more potent than L-692,429 and the growth hormone releasing peptide, GHRP-6, respectively. When L-692,585 was administered once daily for 14 consecutive days at 0, 0.01 or 0.10 mg/kg to each of 6 dogs, peak plasma GH levels and total GH release on days 1, 8 and 15 significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner, and no desensitization was evident.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

L-692,429, a benzolactam derivative, stimulated GH release from rat primary pituitary cells in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration of L-692,429 required for half-maximal stimulation were 59.6 +/- 7.3 nM. Under the same conditions, GHRP-6 and GRF had EC50 values of 10.3 +/- 1.9 nM and 0.47 +/- 0.09 nM, respectively. L-692,428, the enantiomer of L-692,429, was inactive at a concentration as high as 2 microM. Like GHRP-6, L-692,429 had no effect on intracellular cAMP level; however, it synergized with GRF to further increase not only the accumulation of cAMP but also the release of GH. The magnitude of GH release stimulated by maximal concentrations of L-692,429 and GHRP-6 was comparable. Interestingly, when presented together in maximal concentrations, L-692,429 and GHRP-6 did not cause additional GH release when compared with either secretagogue alone. The L-692,429-stimulated GH release was completely inhibited by 20 nM somatostatin. To our knowledge, L-692,429 is the first non-peptidyl GH secretagogue which has a direct effect on the release of growth hormone from rat primary pituitary cells. Its effect is most likely mediated through a mechanism which is similar to that of GHRP-6.

The 3-substituted benzazepinone, L-692,429 (compound 1), is the prototype compound of a novel class of compounds that stimulate release of growth hormone (GH). The molecule evolved from efforts to identify a non-peptide mimic of the growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide, GHRP-6. Compound 1 is prepared by sequential attachment of dimethyl-beta-alanine and 2'-biphenylyltetrazole side chains to a chiral 3-aminobenzolactam nucleus. Comparison of the biological activity of 1 with the corresponding six- and eight-membered lactam analogs shows the seven-membered benzazepinone skeleton to be preferred. Molecular modeling of the structurally diverse GH secretagogues, L-692,429 and GHRP-6, was performed.

L-692,429 is a substituted benzolactam that has recently been shown to stimulate GH secretion from rat pituitary cells in vitro with an ED50 of 60 nM. In the current studies, we evaluated the efficacy and specificity of L-692,429 as a GH secretagogue in beagles. L-692,429 at 0.1, 0.25, or 1.0 mg/kg or saline vehicle was administered iv to four male and four female beagles in a balanced cross-over design. Blood samples were collected up to 75 min posttreatment, and serum was assayed for GH, cortisol, PRL, and LH. Mean peak serum GH levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by L-692,429 to 13 +/- 2 (mean +/- SEM) ng/ml (0.1 mg/kg), 39 +/- 6 ng/ml (0.25 mg/kg), or 71 +/- 11 ng/ml (1.0 mg/kg) over the saline control value of 3.6 +/- 0.6 ng/ml. Mean peak GH levels occurred at 15 min and had returned to near-baseline levels by 75 min. There was no difference in response between sexes. Mean peak cortisol levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by 2.2-, 2.7-, and 3.1-fold above control levels (3.0 +/- 0.2 micrograms/dl) at 25-35 min and returned to near-baseline levels by 75 min. PRL was slightly decreased after L-692,429 treatment, whereas LH was not affected. In a second study, three groups of three male beagles each were administered 5.0 mg/kg L-692,429, iv; iv saline, or 2.2 U/kg ACTH, im. Blood was collected for 8 h posttreatment and assayed for GH, cortisol, ACTH, aldosterone, PRL, insulin, T3, and T4. L-692,429 administration significantly increased (P < 0.05) GH over the control level (6.0 +/- 3.6 ng/ml) to 133 +/- 14 ng/ml by 15 min, with a return to pretreatment levels by 120 min. Cortisol levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by 2.0-fold (L-692,429) or 2.9-fold (ACTH) over the saline control peak concentration of 5.6 +/- 1.6 micrograms/dl and were associated with concurrent increases in ACTH levels of 1.2-fold (L-692,429) or 2.1-fold (ACTH) over the saline control peak concentration of 67 +/- 20 pmol/L. Aldosterone, PRL, T3, and T4 were not significantly affected after L-692,429 administration; however, ACTH treatment significantly increased aldosterone (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that L-692,429 is a novel nonpeptidyl secretagogue that stimulates a marked, but transient, increase in serum GH levels in the dog.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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Carbon fiber composite frames were first used in Tour de France in 1986. With recent growth in research and development of composite frames, carbon fiber composites have become more popular in bicycle industry where lightweight and high stiffness are of upmost importance. Unfortunately, carbon fiber is expensive and has low impact toughness. One method of overcoming this shortcoming is to hybridize carbon fiber with natural fibers such as flax. The benefit of using hybrid composites is that the advantages of one type of fiber can overcome the disadvantages of the other type of fiber. As a result, a balance in cost, performance, and sustainability could be achieved through proper composite material design. In this study, carbon fiber was hybridized with flax fiber in an effort to manufacture a bicycle frame with the highperformance characteristics of carbon fiber and low cost and renewability of flax fiber. In addition, vibration damping properties of flax fiber will result in a more comfortable ride. The results of mechanical tests of the frame material revealed that the manufactured frame possess similar or higher stiffness and strength as commercially available carbon, titanium, and aluminum frames while exhibiting superior vibration damping properties. All these were achieved with a lower cost compared to carbon composite frames while maintaining 40% biocontent.