Dopamine reuptake (Ki = 1 nM)[1]

Vanoxerine diHClide (GBR-12909 diHClide) is a low-fold effective supplement of norepinephrine and serotonin that suppresses the nutrient dopamine (DA) with an IC50 in the low nanomolar range [2]. Another wall mixed ion channel blocker having IKr, INa, and L-type calcium channel action is -12909 dihydrochloride [3].

Behavioral effects of a dopamine uptake inhibitor, GBR-12909 (GBR), were evaluated by ambulatory activity in mice. The single administration of over 10 mg/kg of GBR, i.p. and p.o., significantly increased the ambulatory activity. The repeated administration of GBR, at only 10 mg/kg, produced a reverse tolerance to its ambulation-increasing effect. However, a cross-reverse tolerance was induced between GBR (10 and 20 mg/kg) and methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) in both directions. Furthermore, 5 mg/kg of GBR significantly enhanced the effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, imipramine, morphine, scopolamine and caffeine. R-THBP, a coenzyme of tyrosine hydroxylase, also enhanced the effect of GBR. In contrast, the ambulation-increasing effect of 10 mg/kg of GBR was markedly reduced by haloperidol, chlorpromazine, tetrabenazine, oxypertine, reserpine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. On the other hand, the effect of GBR was only slightly and/or scarcely modified by apomorphine, caerulein, physostigmine, pilocarpine, N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine and naloxone. The neurochemical experiment in rats, not in mice, revealed that GBR possessed more dominant action on dopaminergic systems than noradrenergic or serotonergic systems. However, the behavioral characteristics of GBR are similar to those of methamphetamine and cocaine, which possess less selective action than GBR on dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems[2].

The neurochemical profile of GBR 12909 (1-(2-bis(4-fluorphenyl)-methoxy)-ethyl)-4-(3-phenyl-propyl)pipera zine) was investigated. GBR 12909 was a potent and selective inhibitor of synaptosomal dopamine uptake (KI = 1 nM), with a 20-fold lower affinity for the histamine H1-receptor and a more than 100-fold affinity for the noradrenaline and 5-HT uptake carriers, the dopamine D-1, D-2, 5-HT2, 5-HT1A and alpha 1-receptors and voltage-dependent sodium channels. GBR 12909 (3 microM) was without effect on muscarinic, alpha 2, beta 1 + 2, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepine receptors, and on choline and GABA uptake carriers. The selective dopamine uptake inhibitory profile of GBR 12909 was confirmed by ex vivo uptake experiments. GBR 12909 inhibited uptake in vitro in a competitive manner as did cocaine and methylphenidate. [3H]GBR 12935 binding was competitively inhibited by GBR 12909 as well as by dopamine, cocaine and methylphenidate. Off-rate analysis of the [3H]GBR 12935 binding excluded the presence of allosteric binding sites on the dopamine carrier complex. Instead, the data favored the notion that GBR 12909 inhibits dopamine uptake by binding to the dopamine binding site on the carrier protein itself, thereby blocking the carrier process. In conclusion, GBR 12909 is a highly selective inhibitor of dopamine uptake, both in vivo and in vitro. At the moment GBR 12909 is the only compound with this neurochemical profile. The selective effect of GBR 12909 on this neuronal system makes it an interesting experimental tool and a potential antidepressant agent[3].

Animal/Disease Models: Male mice (6 weeks old ddY strain) [3]
Doses: 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg Varnosline hydrochloride (2.5-20 mg/kg; intraperitoneal (ip) injection) Dramatically increases walking activity [ 3].
Route of Administration: intraperitoneal (ip) injection.
Experimental Results: The walking activity of mice increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the maximum increase 30 minutes after administration.

Absorption, Distribution and Excretion
At doses of 25, 75 or 125 mg, vanoxerine had a corresponding Cmax of 17.9, 81.1 and 236.5 nmol/L and a corresponding AUC of 81, 365 and 1116 h⋅nmol/L when given orally to healthy male volunteers (n=14). In this same set of subjects, tmax was reached at 0.91, 0.93 and 1.13 h at oral doses of 25, 75 or 125 mg, respectively. The oral bioavailability of this drug depends on food intake. Compared with those fasting, the bioavailability of vanoxerine in volunteers taking a low-fat and a high-fat meal was 76% and 255% higher, respectively.
The majority of vanoxerine is excreted in urine, bile and feces.
Vanoxerine is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and distributing to several organs such as fat tissue, lungs, liver and the gastrointestinal tract. Vanoxerine has a large volume of distribution.
At 25, 75 and 125 mg/day, vanoxerine had a corresponding oral clearance of 660, 478 and 250 L/h.

---

Metabolism / Metabolites
_In vitro_ studies suggest that vanoxerine is mostly metabolized by CYP3A4. CYP2C8 and CYP2E1 may also contribute to the metabolism of this drug. CYP3A4 selective-inhibitors may interact with vanoxerine.
Vanoxerine has known human metabolites that include 4-[3-[4-[2-[Bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]piperazino]propyl]phenol and 1-Phenyl-3-[4-[2-(4,4'-difluorobenzhydryloxy)ethyl]piperazino]-1-propanol.

---

Biological Half-Life
The mean elimination half-life of vanoxerine was 53.5 h at 75 mg/day and 66 h at 125 mg/day.

Protein Binding
The plasma protein binding of vanoxerine is 99% at 0.1, 0.4 and 1 μM.

[1]. Rothman RB, et al. Dopamine transport inhibitors based on GBR12909 and benztropine as potential medications to treat cocaine addiction. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Jan 1;75(1):2-16.
[2]. Hirate K, et al. Characteristics of the ambulation-increasing effect of GBR-12909, a selective dopamine uptakeinhibitor, in mice. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1991 Apr;55(4):501-11.
[3]. Andersen PH. The dopamine inhibitor GBR 12909: selectivity and molecular mechanism of action. Eur J Pharmacol.

Vanoxerine is an N-alkylpiperazine that consists of piperazine bearing 2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl and 3-phenylpropyl groups at positions 1 and 4 respectively. Potent, competitive inhibitor of dopamine uptake (Ki = 1 nM for inhibition of striatal dopamine uptake). Has > 100-fold lower affinity for the noradrenalin and 5-HT uptake carriers. Also a potent sigma ligand (IC50 = 48 nM). Centrally active following systemic administration. It has a role as a dopamine uptake inhibitor. It is a N-alkylpiperazine, an organofluorine compound, a tertiary amino compound and an ether. It is a conjugate base of a vanoxerine(2+).
Vanoxerine is a highly selective dopamine transporter antagonist. It was synthesized in the late 1970s and developed as a potential treatment for depression. Vanoxerine was later evaluated as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction due to its ability to block dopamine reuptake with a slower dissociation rate than cocaine. Although several studies have suggested that the profile of vanoxerine is safer than that of cocaine, other studies have found that vanoxerine has at least moderate potential to be abused by humans. More recently, vanoxerine was tested as a potential anti-arrhythmic and anti-atrial fibrillatory agent due to its ability to block the hKV11.1 (hERG) cardiac potassium channel. Vanoxerine is an investigational drug and has not been approved for therapeutic use.

---

Drug Indication
Vanoxerine has not been approved for therapeutic use.

---

Mechanism of Action
Vanoxerine is a highly selective dopamine transporter antagonist. Due to its ability to inhibit dopamine reuptake, it has been suggested that vanoxerine may be beneficial in treating cocaine addiction. Cocaine increases the amount of dopamine in the synapse by attaching and blocking the dopamine transporter. Compared to cocaine, vanoxerine has a higher affinity for the dopamine transporter and a slower dissociation rate, without the stimulant profile of cocaine. The use of vanoxerine to treat conditions characterized by low levels of dopamine, such as Parkinson's disease and depression, has also been investigated. Vanoxerine is also a potent blocker of the hKV11.1 (hERG) cardiac potassium channel. Even at low concentrations, vanoxerine is capable of blocking calcium and sodium currents without having a significant effect on QT interval, action potential waveforms and transmural dispersion of repolarization. Because of this, the anti-arrhythmic and anti-atrial fibrillatory properties of vanoxerine have been investigated.

---

Pharmacodynamics
Vanoxerine inhibits dopamine reuptake by binding and blocking the dopamine transporter. The use of vanoxerine has been evaluated as a potential substitute of cocaine in the treatment of drug addiction. In primates, the intravenous administration of vanoxerine reduced cocaine self-administration at 1 mg/kg and eliminated it at 3 mg/kg. The stimulant profile of cocaine was not detected in healthy volunteers (n=8) receiving vanoxerine for 2 weeks, suggesting a lack of abuse potential of vanoxerine. However, other studies have found that vanoxerine has at least moderate potential to be abused by humans. The antiarrhythmic potential of vanoxerine has also been assessed. A clinical study evaluating the efficacy of vanoxerine on the conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) to normal sinus rhythm reported that, within 24 hours, a significant proportion of symptomatic AF/AFL patients treated with 200, 300 and 400 mg of vanoxerine converted to sinus rhythm. In studies that evaluated doses ranging from 25 to 300 mg, vanoxerine was considered to be safe and tolerable.

C28H34CL2F2N2O

523.4852

522.201

C, 64.24; H, 6.55; Cl, 13.54; F, 7.26; N, 5.35; O, 3.06

67469-78-7

Vanoxerine;67469-69-6

3455

Typically exists as White to off-white solid at room temperature

542.7ºC at 760 mmHg

221 °C

282ºC

6.801

0

5

10

33

498

0

Cl[H].Cl[H].FC1C([H])=C([H])C(=C([H])C=1[H])C([H])(C1C([H])=C([H])C(=C([H])C=1[H])F)OC([H])([H])C([H])([H])N1C([H])([H])C([H])([H])N(C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C2C([H])=C([H])C([H])=C([H])C=2[H])C([H])([H])C1([H])[H]

MIBSKSYCRFWIRU-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C28H32F2N2O.2ClH/c29-26-12-8-24(9-13-26)28(25-10-14-27(30)15-11-25)33-22-21-32-19-17-31(18-20-32)16-4-7-23-5-2-1-3-6-23/h1-3,5-6,8-15,28H,4,7,16-22H22*1H

1-(2-[bis(4-Fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine dihydrochloride

Vanoxerine DiHCl; GBR 12909; Vanoxerine dihydrochloride; GBR 12909 dihydrochloride; Vanoxerine hydrochloride; GBR-12909 dihydrochloride; Vanoxeamine; Vanoxerine dihydrochloride(GBR12909); 1-(2-(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy)ethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine dihydrochloride; GBR-12909; GBR12909.

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Note: Please store this product in a sealed and protected environment, avoid exposure to moisture.

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

DMSO : ~9.4 mg/mL (~17.96 mM)
H2O : ~1 mg/mL (~1.91 mM)

Solubility in Formulation 1: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (3.97 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 40% PEG300 + 5% Tween80 + 45% Saline (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 20.8 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 400 μL PEG300 and mix evenly; then add 50 μL Tween-80 to the above solution and mix evenly; then add 450 μL normal saline to adjust the volume to 1 mL.
Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH₂ O to obtain a clear solution.

---

Solubility in Formulation 2: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (3.97 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% (20% SBE-β-CD in Saline) (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 20.8 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of 20% SBE-β-CD physiological saline solution and mix evenly.
Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.

---

View More

Solubility in Formulation 3: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (3.97 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% Corn Oil (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution.
For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 20.8 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of corn oil and mix evenly.

---

 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)