Synthesis and Biological Activity of the Pyridine-hexacyclic-steroid Derivative on a Heart Failure Model.

Background: Several drugs with inotropic activity have been synthesized; however, there is very little information on biological activity exerted by steroid derivatives in the cardiovascular system.

Objective: The aim of this research was to prepare a steroid-pyridine derivative to evaluate the effect it exerts on left ventricular pressure and characterize its molecular interaction.

Methods: The first stage was carried out through the synthesis of a steroid-pyridine derivative using some chemical strategies. The second stage involved the evaluation of the biological activity of the steroid-pyridine derivative on left ventricular pressure using a model of heart failure in the absence or presence of the drugs, such as flutamide, tamoxifen, prazosin, metoprolol, indomethacin, and nifedipine.

Results: The results showed that steroid-pyridine derivative increased left ventricular pressure in a dose-dependent manner (0.001-100 nM); however, this phenomenon was significantly inhibited only by nifedipine at a dose of 1 nM. These results indicate that positive inotropic activity produced by the steroid-pyridine derivative was via calcium channel activation. Furthermore, the biological activity exerted by the steroid-pyridine derivative on the left ventricle produces changes in cAMP concentration.

Conclusion: It is noteworthy that positive inotropic activity produced by this steroid-pyridine derivative involves a different molecular mechanism compared to other positive inotropic drugs. Therefore, this steroid could be a good candidate for the treatment of heart failure.