Effect on insulin release of compounds structurally related to the potassium-channel opener 7-chloro-3-isopropylamino-4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide (BPDZ 73):: introduction of heteroatoms on the 3-alkylamino side chain of the benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide ring

7-Chloro-3-pyridyl(alkyl)amino-4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides and 3-alkylamino-7-chloro-4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides containing one or more heteroatoms on the side chain in the 3 position have been synthesized in an attempt to discover new potent K-ATP-channel openers. The compounds were tested as putative pancreatic B-cells K-ATP channel openers by measuring their inhibitory activity on the insulin releasing process. The influence on the biological activity of the nature of the side chain in the 3 position is discussed.