Cardiovascular profile of 5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-imidazole-acetonitrile (MCN-2378), a cerebral vasodilator

I.v. administration of McN-2378 appeared to preferentially increase cerebral blood flow as opposed to systemic (femoral) blood flow in two strains of monkeys. This cerebral vasodilation was not affected by theta-adrenergic blockade. In the anesthetized dog, the compound transiently lowered systemic arterial pressure with an associated transient decrease in femoral vascular resistance and increased heart rate. Cardiac output in the anesthetized dog was also transiently elevated. Although the compound contains a nitrile group, there is no evidence to suggest that cyanide release is mediating the cerebral vasodilation.