Further Investigation of the Action Mechanism of GS 389: a Thromboxane $A_2$ Antagonistic Action

Recently, we reported that GS 389 has vasodilating action without cardiac inotropic action (Chang et al., Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 72, 327-334, 1994). However the mechanism of action of GS 389 has not been thoroughly evaluated. In the present study, we performed functional study of GS 389 in rat trachealis, thoracic aorta, pig coronary artery by isometric tension and in human platelets by aggregation experiments. We also tested if GS 389 influences on $Ca^{2+}$movement and inositol phosphate metabolism. In rat trachealis, GS 389 concentration-dependently relaxed carbachol (0.1 $\mu$M)- and high $K^{+}$(65.4 mM)-induced contraction with p$IC_{50}$/ of 4.43$\pm$ 0.19 and 4.11$\pm$0.12, respectively. In $Ca^{2+}$-free media, GS 389 inhibited carbachol-induced phasic contraction. In rat thoracic aorta, GS 389 inhibited $^{45}$ Ca uptake due to norepinephrine and high $K^{+}$, indicating that GS 389 has direct inhibitory action of $Ca^{2+}$movement. Furthermore, GS 389 competitively inhibited U46619-induced contraction in rat thoracic aorta and pig coronary artery with K, values of 5.23$\pm$0.12 and 5.56$\pm$0.14, respectively, and inhibited U 46619-induced phosphatidylinositide (PI) turnover in rat aorta. GS 389 also concentration-dependently inhibited the human platelet aggregation against U 46619 with p$IC_{50}$/ 5.66$\pm$0.02. These results indicate that GS 389 has thromboxane $A_2$ antagonistic action in vascular and platelets as well as direct action on $Ca^{2+}$ movement, which may account, at least in part, for relaxing action of rat trachealis. trachealis.