Preclinical studies characterizing the anti-migraine and cardiovascular effects of the selective 5-HT_1D receptor agonist PNU-142633

The present study describes the preclinical pharmacology of a highly selective 5-HT_1D receptor agonist PNU-142633. PNU-142633 binds with a Ki of 6 nM at the human 5-HT_1D receptor and a Ki of >18 000 nM at the human 5-HT_1B receptor. The intrinsic activity of PNU-142633 at the human 5-HT_1D receptor was determined to be 70% that of 5-HT in a cytosensor cell-based assay compared with 84% for that of sumatriptan. PNU-142633 was equally effective as sumatriptan and a half-log more potent than sumatriptan in preventing plasma protein extravasation induced by electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion. Like sumatriptan, PNU-142633 reduced the increase in cat nucleus trigeminal caudalis blood flow elicited by electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion compared with the vehicle control. The direct vasoconstrictor potential of PNU-142633 was evaluated in vascular beds. Sumatriptan increased vascular resistance in carotid, meningeal and coronary arteries while PNU-142633 failed to alter resistance in these vascular beds. These data are discussed in relation to the clinical findings of PNU-142633 in a phase II acute migraine study.