Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of Potent and Orally Available G Protein-Coupled Receptor 40 Agonists
摘要:
G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) is being recently considered to be a new potential drug target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes because of its role in the enhancement of free fatty acid-regulated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells. We initially identified benzyloxyphenylproparoic acid (1b) (EC50 = 510 nM), which was designed based on the structure of free fatty acids, as a promising lead compound with GPR40 agonist activity. Chemical modification of compound 1b led to the discovery of 3-{4-[(2',6'-dimethylbiphenyl-3-yl)methoxy]-2-fluorophenyl}propanoic acid (4p) as a potent GPR40 agonist (EC50 = 5,7 nM). Compound 4p exhibited acceptable pharmacokinetic profiles and significant glucose-lowering effects during an oral glucose tolerance test in diabetic rat;. Moreover, no hypoglycemic event was observed even after administration of a high dose of compound 4p to normal fasted rats. These pharmacological results suggest that GPR40 agonists might be novel glucose-dependent insulin secretagogues with little or no risk of hypoglycemia.
The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for diabetes with sulfonylurea secondary failure, which contains a GPR40 agonist. According to the present invention, a therapeutic agent for diabetes with sulfonylurea secondary failure that affords a superior insulin secretion effect and a superior hypoglycemic effect even in diabetic patients for whom a sulfonylurea compound or a fast-acting insulin secretagogue fails to provide an insulin secretion effect and therefore, fails to provide a sufficient hypoglycemic effect can be provided.
The GPR40 receptor function regulator of the present invention, which comprises a compound having an aromatic ring and a group capable of releasing cation is useful as an insulin secretagogue or an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes and the like.
The GPR40 receptor function regulator of the present invention, which comprises a compound having an aromatic ring and a group capable of releasing cation is useful as an insulin secretagogue or an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes and the like.