Preparation and evaluation of PEG-bound thrombin inhibitors based on 4-amidinophenylalanine

The dipeptide Mtr-Asp-D-Adf-Pip 10 represents a potent thrombin inhibitor. In comparison to NAPAP, 10 exhibited improved tolerability and a longer half-life in vivo, i.e., 20 +/- 5 min. We have coupled aminopolyethyleneglycolmonomethylether of various molecular weights to the carboxyl moiety of 10 and evaluated their biological properties. First, Mtr-Asp-OBut was coupled to the amino group of the PEG employing TOTU as an activating agent. This was followed by the removal of the OBut protecting group and coupling of D-Adf-Pip using TOTU as well. The PEG-bound thrombin inhibitors showed inhibition constants vs. thrombin in the subnanomolar range, i.e., they were more active than the parent molecule 10. Moreover, the pegylated inhibitors exhibited a longer lasting effect in vivo. In rats the half-life of Mtr-Asn (PEG10000-OMe)-D-Adf-Pip 14 was determined to be 63 min. Mtr-Asn(PEG10000-OMe)-D-Adf-Pip 14 showed a half-life of 120 min in pigs. It could be concluded that these PEG-bound thrombin inhibitors may be employed as versatile drugs for parenteral administration in treating thrombotic disorders.