Biological studies were conducted on (3R)-7-Hydroxy-N-{(1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-pi peridinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl}-1,2,3,.4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinoline-car boxamide (JDTic), the first potent K-selective opioid receptor antagonist not derived from an opiate class of compounds. In the mouse tail-flick test, JDTic, administered subcutaneously (s.c.), blocked anticociceptive activity for up to 2 weeks. When JDTic was administered either s.c. or p.o. 24 h before the selective KOP (kappa)-opioid receptor agonist, enadoline, AD(50s) of 4.1 and 27.3, respectively, were obtained. A time-course study of JDTic versus enadoline indicated significant antagonist p.o. activity up to 28 days. In contrast, JDTic, s.c., failed to antagonize the analgesic effects of the selective MOP (mu)-opioid receptor agonist, sufentar. il. In the squirrel monkey shock titration antinociception test, JDTic given intramuscularly (i.m.) shifted the trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-[1-pyrrolidinyl] cyclohexyl) benzeneacetamide (U50,488) dose-effect curve to the right. In the U50,488-induced diuresis rat test, JDTic, s.c., suppressed diuretic activity with a greater potency than that of nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). Thus, JDTic is a potent long- and orally acting selective kappa-opioid antagonist. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved