Valylprolylvalyl pentafluoroethyl ketones with different N-protecting groups were evaluated in vitro and in vivo as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Several of these compounds were found to be orally active in HNE-induced rat and hamster lung hemorrhage models. The compound with 4-(4-morpholinylcarbonyl) benzoyl as the protecting group, 7l (MDL 101,146), was studied in greater detail. Hydration and ...