The present invention relates to compounds defined by formula (I):
or an enantiomer, diastereomer, tautomer, solvate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
wherein
R1 and R2 are independently from each other selected from hydrogen, fluorine and C1-C3 alkyl;
X is
which bind to the NR1H4 receptor (FXR) and act as agonists of the NR1H4 receptor (FXR). The invention further relates to the use of the compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions through binding of said nuclear receptor by said compounds, such as the prophylaxis and/or treatment of chronic intrahepatic or some forms of extrahepatic cholestatic conditions, liver fibrosis resulting from chronic cholestatic conditions, acute intraheptic cholestatic conditions, obstructive or chronic inflammatory disorders that arise out of improper bile composition, gastrointestinal conditions with a reduced uptake of dietary fat and fat-soluble dietary vitamins, inflammatory bowel diseases, lipid and lipoprotein disorders, Type II Diabetes, clinical complications of Type I and Type II Diabetes.
To overcome the known liabilities of GW4064 a series of analogs were synthesized where the stilbene double bond is replaced by an oxymethylene or amino-methylene linker connecting a terminal benzoic acid with a substituted heteroaryl in the middle ring position. As a result we discovered compounds with increased potency in vitro that cause dose-dependent reduction of plasma triglycerides and cholesterol in db/db mice down to 2 x 1 mg/kg/day upon oral administration. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.