Imidazopyridine-derivatives as inducible no-synthase inhibitors

Abstract

The compounds of formula (I) In which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and A have the meanings as given in the description are novel effective iNOS inhibitors.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A method for treating an acute inflammatory disease in a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       in which 
       R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, 
       R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       or in which 
       R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which 
       R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, 
       R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen, 
       R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       or in which 
       R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which 
       Het is a fully saturated or partially unsaturated mono- or fused bicyclic ring or ring system made up of a first constituent being a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic fully saturated non-aromatic heterocyclic ring B, 
       which heterocyclic ring B comprises one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, 
       and which heterocyclic ring B is optionally substituted by one or two oxo groups, 
       and, optionally, fused to said first constituent,
 a second constituent being a benzene ring, 
 and which ring Het is optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R22 on a further ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by an ethylenedioxy group, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom, 
 in which 
 
       R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl, 
       R22 is 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, formyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which 
       R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl, 
       R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       and in which 
       R4 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       R5 is 1-4C-alkyl, 
       A is 1-4C-alkylene, 
       or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof. 
     
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino,   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is a fully saturated or partially unsaturated mono- or fused bicyclic ring or ring system made up of a first constituent being a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic fully saturated non-aromatic heterocyclic ring B,
 which heterocyclic ring B is piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, homopiperazine, piperidine, pyrrolidine or azetidine, 
 and which heterocyclic ring B is optionally substituted by one or two oxo groups, 
 and, optionally, fused to said first constituent, 
 a second constituent being a benzene ring, 
 and which ring Het is optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R22 on a further ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by an ethylenedioxy group, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom, 
 in which 
   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl,   R22 is 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or 1-4C-alkyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino,   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, S-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, S,S-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-(1-4C-alkoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl substituted by either ethylenedioxy or R21, 4N—(R23)-piperazinyl, 4N—(R23)-homopiperazinyl, 4N—(H)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl or 4N—(R23)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl,
 in which 
   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, or phenylcarbonyl,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or 1-4C-alkyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is halogen,   or   R11 is halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, S-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, S,S-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-(1-4C-alkoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl substituted by either ethylenedioxy or R21, 4N—(R23)-piperazinyl, 4N—(1-4C-alkyl)-homopiperazinyl, 4N—(H)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, 4N—(phenyl-1-4C-alkyl)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl or 4N—(1-4C-alkyl)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl,
 in which 
   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, or phenylcarbonyl,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or 1-4C-alkyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which
 R1 is methyl,   R2 is methyl, and   R3 is methyl, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy,   or in which   R1 is cyclohexyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropyl, benzyl, 2-hydroxy-ethyl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R11 is methyl, methoxy, or dimethylamino, and   R12 is fluorine,   or   R11 is fluorine, chlorine, methoxy, or dimethylamino, and   R12 is methyl,   R2 is hydrogen, 2-hydroxy-ethyl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, or methyl, and   R3 is hydrogen,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl, or morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, S-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, S,S-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-ethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, 4,4-ethylenedioxy-piperidinyl, 4-(R21)-piperidinyl, 4N—(R23)-piperazinyl, 4N-methyl-homopiperazinyl, 4N—(H)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, 4N-benzyl-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, 4N-methyl-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, or 4N-ethyl-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl,
 in which 
   R21 is methyl, or phenylcarbonyl,   R23 is methyl, ethyl, benzyl, phenethyl, acetyl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R231 is chlorine, cyano or methyl, and   R232 is chlorine,   or   R231 is chlorine, cyano or methyl, and   R232 is methyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy, and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or methyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino,   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is a 3- to 10-membered saturated or partially saturated heterocyclic ring comprising totally 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, and optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom and/or by R22 on a further ring carbon atom and/or by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom, in which   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl,   R22 is 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, formyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   R4 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,   R5 is 1-4C-alkyl,   A is 1-4C-alkylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is halogen,   or   R11 is halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom and/or by R22 on a further ring carbon atom and/or by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom and is azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, thiomorpholin-4-yl, homopiperidin-1-yl, homopiperazin-1-yl, indolin-1-yl, isoindolin-1-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-2-yl, piperidin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl, 1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, or 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decan-8-yl, in which   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl,   R22 is 1-4C-alkoxy,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   R4 is hydrogen,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which
 R1 is methyl,   R2 is methyl, and   R3 is methyl, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy,   or   R1 is cyclohexyl, benzyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R11 is methyl, methoxy or dimethylamino, and   R12 is chlorine or fluorine,   or   R11 is chlorine, fluorine, methoxy or dimethylamino, and   R12 is methyl,   R2 is hydrogen or methyl,   or R1 and R2 are both 2-hydroxyethyl, and   R3 is hydrogen,   or   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidin-1-yl, or piperidin-1-yl substituted by R21, in which   R21 is methyl or phenylcarbonyl,   or   Het is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl substituted by R21 and R22, in which   R21 is methoxy,   R22 is methoxy,   or   Het is piperazin-1-yl substituted by R23 on 4-N, in which   R23 is methyl, ethyl, benzyl, phenethyl, acetyl, 2-methoxyethyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is chlorine, cyano or methyl,   R232 is chlorine or methyl,   or   Het is 1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, or 1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl substituted by R23 on 4-N, in which   R23 is methyl, ethyl or benzyl,   or   Het is homopiperazin-1-yl substituted by R23 on 4-N, in which   R23 is methyl,   or   Het is morpholin-4-yl, azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, or 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decan-8-yl, and   R3 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy,   R4 is hydrogen,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 16 , in which the compound is selected from the group consisting of
 2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-{4-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-p-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(3,5-Dichlorphenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(2-Methoxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(4-Acetyl-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(morpholin-4-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-[1,4]diazepan-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperidin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(4-Benzoyl-piperidin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decan-8-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(6,7-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(1,4-Diazepan-5-one-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   N—(2-Hydroxyethyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   N,N-Bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   N-Benzyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   N-Cyclohexyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-2-trifluormethoxy-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-2-trifluormethyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-3-methyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-phenyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-p-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Dimethylamino-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamid;   N-(4-Chlorphenyl)-N-methyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-phenethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(4-Ethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(2,6-Dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-o-tolyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[3-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(piperidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-phenyl-benzenesulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6,7-Diethoxy-2-(4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[3-Fluoro-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[3-Chloro-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[2-Fluoro-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   4-Benzyl-1-(4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-[1,4]diazepan-5-one;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-phenyl-benzenesulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   1-(4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-4-methyl-[1,4]diazepan-5-one;   4-Ethyl-1-(4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-[1,4]diazepan-5-one;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-o-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-pyridin-4-yl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-p-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   N—(4-Dimethylamino-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(2-Fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-o-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(Azetidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   N,N-Bis-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   N-Cyclobutyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzene-sulfonamide;   N-Cyclopropyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzene-sulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-6-[4-(pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-6-[4-(piperidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-6-[4-(morpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(Azetidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(thiomorpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(1-oxo-1I(4)-thiomorpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(1,1-Dioxo-1I(6)-thiomorpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-(4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3-H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline,   
     and the salts, N-oxides and the salts of the N-oxides thereof. 
   
   
       25 . A method for treating a chronic inflammatory disease of peripheral organs and the central nervous system (CNS) in a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I compound of formula I 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       in which 
       R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, 
       R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       or in which 
       R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which 
       R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, 
       R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen, 
       R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       or in which 
       R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which 
       Het is a fully saturated or partially unsaturated mono- or fused bicyclic ring or ring system made up of a first constituent being a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic fully saturated non-aromatic heterocyclic ring B, 
       which heterocyclic ring B comprises one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, 
       and which heterocyclic ring B is optionally substituted by one or two oxo groups, and, optionally, fused to said first constituent,
 a second constituent being a benzene ring, 
 and which ring Het is optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R22 on a further ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by an ethylenedioxy group, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom, 
 in which 
 
       R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl, 
       R22 is 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, formyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which 
       R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl, 
       R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       and in which 
       R4 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       R5 is 1-4C-alkyl, 
       A is 1-4C-alkylene, 
       or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof. 
     
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino,   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is a fully saturated or partially unsaturated mono- or fused bicyclic ring or ring system made up of a first constituent being a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic fully saturated non-aromatic heterocyclic ring B,
 which heterocyclic ring B is piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, homopiperazine, piperidine, pyrrolidine or azetidine, 
 and which heterocyclic ring B is optionally substituted by one or two oxo groups, 
 and, optionally, fused to said first constituent, 
 a second constituent being a benzene ring, 
 and which ring Het is optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R22 on a further ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by an ethylenedioxy group, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom, 
 in which 
   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl,   R22 is 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or 1-4C-alkyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino,   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, S-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, S,S-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-(1-4C-alkoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl substituted by either ethylenedioxy or R21, 4N—(R23)-piperazinyl, 4N—(R23)-homopiperazinyl, 4N—(H)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl or 4N—(R23)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl,
 in which 
   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, or phenylcarbonyl,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or 1-4C-alkyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or in which   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which either   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is halogen,   or   R11 is halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, S-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, S,S-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-(1-4C-alkoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, piperidinyl substituted by either ethylenedioxy or R21, 4N—(R23)-piperazinyl, 4N-(1-4C-alkyl)-homopiperazinyl, 4N—(H)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, 4N-(phenyl-1-4C-alkyl)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl or 4N-(1-4C-alkyl)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl,
 in which 
   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, or phenylcarbonyl,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or 1-4C-alkyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which
 R1 is methyl,   R2 is methyl, and   R3 is methyl, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy,   or in which   R1 is cyclohexyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropyl, benzyl, 2-hydroxy-ethyl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R11 is methyl, methoxy, or dimethylamino, and   R12 is fluorine,   or   R11 is fluorine, chlorine, methoxy, or dimethylamino, and   R12 is methyl,   R2 is hydrogen, 2-hydroxy-ethyl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, or methyl, and   R3 is hydrogen,   or in which   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl, or morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, S-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, S,S-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, di-ethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, 4,4-ethylenedioxy-piperidinyl, 4-(R21)-piperidinyl, 4N—(R23)-piperazinyl, 4N-methyl-homopiperazinyl, 4N—(H)-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, 4N-benzyl-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, 4N-methyl-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, or 4N-ethyl-1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl,
 in which 
   R21 is methyl, or phenylcarbonyl,   R23 is methyl, ethyl, benzyl, phenethyl, acetyl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R231 is chlorine, cyano or methyl, and   R232 is chlorine,   or   R231 is chlorine, cyano or methyl, and   R232 is methyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy, and in which   R4 is hydrogen, or methyl,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino,   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is a 3- to 10-membered saturated or partially saturated heterocyclic ring comprising totally 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, and optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom and/or by R22 on a further ring carbon atom and/or by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom, in which   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl,   R22 is 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, formyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   R4 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,   R5 is 1-4C-alkyl,   A is 1-4C-alkylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which
 R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is halogen,   or   R11 is halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, and   R12 is 1-4C-alkyl,   R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   or   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom and/or by R22 on a further ring carbon atom and/or by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom and is azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, thiomorpholin-4-yl, homopiperidin-1-yl, homopiperazin-1-yl, indolin-1-yl, isoindolin-1-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-2-yl, piperidin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl, 1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, or 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decan-8-yl, in which   R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl,   R22 is 1-4C-alkoxy,   R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl,   R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and   R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,   R4 is hydrogen,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which
 R1 is methyl,   R2 is methyl, and   R3 is methyl, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy,   or   R1 is cyclohexyl, benzyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which   either   R11 is methyl, methoxy or dimethylamino, and   R12 is chlorine or fluorine,   or   R11 is chlorine, fluorine, methoxy or dimethylamino, and   R12 is methyl,   R2 is hydrogen or methyl,   or R1 and R2 are both 2-hydroxyethyl, and   R3 is hydrogen,   or   R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which   Het is piperidin-1-yl, or piperidin-1-yl substituted by R21, in which   R21 is methyl or phenylcarbonyl,   or   Het is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl substituted by R21 and R22, in which   R21 is methoxy,   R22 is methoxy,   or   Het is piperazin-1-yl substituted by R23 on 4-N, in which   R23 is methyl, ethyl, benzyl, phenethyl, acetyl, 2-methoxyethyl, phenyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which   R231 is chlorine, cyano or methyl,   R232 is chlorine or methyl,   or   Het is 1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl, or 1,4-diazepan-5-one-1-yl substituted by R23 on 4-N, in which   R23 is methyl, ethyl or benzyl,   or   Het is homopiperazin-1-yl substituted by R23 on 4-N, in which   R23 is methyl,   or   Het is morpholin-4-yl, azetidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, or 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decan-8-yl, and   R3 is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy,   R4 is hydrogen,   R5 is methyl,   A is ethylene,   or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof.   
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 25 , in which the compound is selected from the group consisting of
 2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-{-4-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-p-tolyl-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(3,5-Dichlorphenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(2-Methoxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(4-Acetyl-piperazin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(morpholin-4-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-[1,4]diazepan-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperidin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(4-Benzoyl-piperidin-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decan-8-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(6,7-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(1,4-Diazepan-5-one-1-yl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   N,N-Bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   N-Benzyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   N-Cyclohexyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-2-trifluormethoxy-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-2-trifluormethyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-3-methyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-phenyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-p-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Dimethylamino-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamid;   N-(4-Chlorphenyl)-N-methyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}benzenesulfonamid;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-phenethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(4-Ethyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-{4-[4-(2,6-Dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-o-tolyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[3-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(piperidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-phenyl-benzenesulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6,7-Diethoxy-2-(4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[3-Fluoro-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[3-Chloro-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[2-Fluoro-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   4-Benzyl-1-(4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-[1,4]diazepan-5-one;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-phenyl-benzenesulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   1-(4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-4-methyl-[1,4]diazepan-5-one;   4-Ethyl-1-(4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-[1,4]diazepan-5-one;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-o-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-pyridin-4-yl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-p-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Dimethylamino-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(2-Fluoro-4-methyl-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide;   4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-N-methyl-N-o-tolyl-benzenesulfonamide;   N-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(Azetidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   N,N-Bis-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;   N-Cyclobutyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzene-sulfonamide;   N-Cyclopropyl-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzene-sulfonamide;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-6-[4-(pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-6-[4-(piperidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-6-[4-(morpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(Azetidine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(thiomorpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-6-[4-(1-oxo-1I(4)-thiomorpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   6-[4-(1,1-Dioxo-1I(6)-thiomorpholine-4-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine;   2-(4-{2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3-H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-6-yl}-benzenesulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline,   
     and the salts, N-oxides and the salts of the N-oxides thereof. 
   
   
       34 . A method for treating a disease or disorder in a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I compound of formula I 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       in which 
       R1 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, 
       R2 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       or in which 
       R1 is 3-7C-cycloalkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or R11- and/or R12-substituted phenyl, in which 
       R11 is 1-4C-alkyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, or mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, 
       R12 is 1-4C-alkyl or halogen, 
       R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy-2-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       or in which 
       R1 and R2 together and with inclusion of the nitrogen atom, to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring Het, in which 
       Het is a fully saturated or partially unsaturated mono- or fused bicyclic ring or ring system made up of a first constituent being a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic fully saturated non-aromatic heterocyclic ring B, 
       which heterocyclic ring B comprises one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, 
       and which heterocyclic ring B is optionally substituted by one or two oxo groups, 
       and, optionally, fused to said first constituent,
 a second constituent being a benzene ring, 
 and which ring Het is optionally substituted by R21 on a ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R22 on a further ring carbon atom, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by an ethylenedioxy group, 
 and/or which ring Het is optionally substituted by R23 on a ring nitrogen atom, 
 in which 
 
       R21 is 1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy or phenylcarbonyl, 
       R22 is 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       R23 is 1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-2-4C-alkyl, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino-2-4C-alkyl, phenyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, formyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl, or R231- and/or R232-substituted phenyl, in which 
       R231 is halogen, cyano or 1-4C-alkyl, 
       R232 is halogen or 1-4C-alkyl, and 
       R3 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       and in which 
       R4 is hydrogen, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, 
       R5 is 1-4C-alkyl, 
       A is 1-4C-alkylene, 
       or a salt, N-oxide or a salt of an N-oxide thereof, 
       wherein the disease or disorder is selected from the group consisting of COPD, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.