A New Antidiabetic Agent Showing Short- and Long-Term Effects Due to Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha/Gamma Dual Agonism and Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Inhibition

J Med Chem. 2023 Mar 9;66(5):3566-3587. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02093. Epub 2023 Feb 15.

Abstract

A new series of analogues or derivatives of the previously reported PPARα/γ dual agonist LT175 allowed the identification of ligand 10, which was able to potently activate both PPARα and -γ subtypes as full and partial agonists, respectively. Docking studies were performed to provide a molecular explanation for this different behavior on the two different targets. In vivo experiments showed that this compound induced a significant reduction in blood glucose and lipid levels in an STZ-induced diabetic mouse model displaying no toxic effects on bone, kidney, and liver. By examining in depth the antihyperglycemic activity of 10, we found out that it produced a slight but significant inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, acting also through insulin-independent mechanisms. This is the first example of a PPARα/γ dual agonist reported to show this inhibitory effect representing, therefore, the potential lead of a new class of drugs for treatment of dyslipidemic type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters
  • PPAR alpha* / metabolism
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism
  • PPAR-gamma Agonists

Substances

  • PPAR alpha
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters
  • PPAR-gamma Agonists
  • PPAR gamma
  • Hypoglycemic Agents