Leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonists. Heterocycle-linked tetrazoles and carboxylic acids. LY203647

LY171883, 1-[2-hydroxy-3-propyl-4-[4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)butoxy]phenyl] ethanone, is an orally active antagonist of LTD4- and LTE4-induced responses in a variety of test systems. We prepared a new series of LT antagonists based on a proposed model of LY171883 binding to the LTE4 receptor in which the n-propyl and tetrazole moieties of LY171883 occupy those parts of the receptor to which the C1-C5 chain and the cysteinyl carboxyl of LTE4 bind, respectively. The new compounds have an acidic function corresponding to the glycine carboxyl of LTD4 linked through a heterocyclic group which is proposed to bind to the LTD4 receptor where the cysteinyl glycine amide bond of LTD4 binds. LY203647, 1-[2-hydroxy-3-propyl-4-[4-[2-[4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)butyl]-2H- tetrazol-5-yl]butoxy]phenyl] ethanone, showed good LTD4 antagonist activity with a suitable pharmacologic and toxicologic profile and has been chosen for clinical evaluation.