An experimental approach to long-lasting hypotensive eledoisin-like peptides

Abstract

A new series of eledoisin-like peptides was synthesized with the object of obtaining long-lasting hypotensive drugs. Acyl residues were introduced into the molecule of the peptide They were dissolved in some polar solvents (water, diacetin, triacetin, dimethyl-sulphoxide), and injected intramuscularly into either anaesthetized or unanaesthetized dogs. Comparison was made with eledoisin dissolved both in water and diacetin. Some of the peptides, mainly the butyryl and valeryl derivatives, in diacetin had a significantly longer-lasting action. The intensity of the hypotension could be also reduced, to avoid side-effects in unanaesthetized dogs, but it was not possible to make it gradual.