Reduction of insulin resistance in obese and/or diabetic animals by 5-[4-(1-methylcyclohexylmethoxy)benzyl]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (ADD-3878, U-63,287, ciglitazone), a new antidiabetic agent.

Effects of 5-[4-(1-methylcyclohexylmethoxy)benzyl]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (ADD-3878, U-63,287, Ciglitazone) on glucose and lipid metabolism were examined in various animal models. ADD-3878, administered as a dietary admixture (30-186 mg/kg/day) to obese-diabetic yellow KK (KK-Ay) mice, markedly suppressed the diabetic syndromes (hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperinsulinemia), accompanied by the reduction of insulin resistance as manifested by improvement of overall insulin sensitivity in either the insulin tolerance test or the steady-state blood glucose test. Chronic administration of ADD-3878 for as long as 12 wk to young yellow KK mice, which were in the early stage of diabetes and obesity, depressed age-dependent rises in blood glucose, plasma triglyceride, and insulin without exerting any effect on obesity. When orally administered to obese Zucker-fatty rats, ADD-3878 decreased plasma insulin and triglyceride in a dose-dependent manner (5-100 mg/kg/day). The treated rats showed increased tolerance and decreased insulin secretion in response to oral glucose. The glycemic response to insulin and the steady-state plasma glucose were also normalized in the treated rats. Chronic administration of ADD-3878 to young fatty rats for as long as 12 wk decreased the dose-dependent rises in blood glucose, plasma triglyceride, and insulin without exerting any effect on body weight. ADD-3878 had no effect on glucose and lipid metabolism of young Sprague-Dawley rats and mild streptozotocin-diabetic rats. However, in old Sprague-Dawley rats that were moderately insulin resistant and hyperlipidemic compared with young ones, ADD-3878 decreased plasma triglyceride and insulin and improved insulin sensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies on antihyperlipidemic agents. II. Synthesis and biological activities of 2-chloro-3-arylpropionic acids.

alpha-Substituted-beta-arylpropionic acid derivatives were prepared and examined for hypolipidemic activity. The structure-activity relationship study showed that a chloro substituent at the alpha-position and an aryloxy or aralkyloxy substituent on the beta-aryl moiety was necessary for possession of substantial activity. In addition, some of these compounds showed hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects on diabetic mice. Among the 71 compounds prepared, ethyl 2-chloro-3-[4-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl]propionate (12) and ethyl 2-chloro-3-[4-(1-phenylethyloxy)phenyl]propionate (24) were the best with respect to activity and toxicity.

Studies on antihyperlipidemic agents. III. Synthesis and biological activities of 2-chloro-3-arylpropionic acids containing a quarternary carbon atom.

A series of 2-chloro-3-(4-alkoxyphenyl)propionic acids containing a quarternary carbon atom in the alkoxy moiety was prepared and the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities were evaluated. Of the 18 compounds synthesized, ethyl 2-chloro-3-[4-(2-methyl-2-phenylpropyloxy)phenyl]propionate (1) was the best with respect to biological activity and toxicity. Its functional derivatives and optically resolved enantiomers were also prepared. Structure-activity relationships are discussed briefly.

Studies on antihyperlipidemic agents. I. Synthesis and hypolipidemic activities of phenoxyphenyl alkanoic acid derivatives.

The alkanoic acids containing phenoxyphenyl moiety at omega-position were prepared and tested for hypolipidemic property. Some of the compounds showed hypoglycemic activity besides hypolipidemic one. Further study on the selected compound, 3-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)benzoyl] propionic acid (8) revealed that it increased insulin sensitivity of adipose tissue of obese and diabetic mice (KKAY). The structure-activity relationship was discussed briefly.

Studies on antidiabetic agents. Synthesis and hypoglycemic activity of 5-[4-(pyridylalkoxy)benzyl]-2,4-thiazolidinediones.

The synthesis of a series of 5-[4-(pyridylalkoxy)benzyl]-2, 4-thiazolidinediones is described. These compounds were evaluated for hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in genetically obese and diabetic mice, yellow KK. 2-(2-Pyridyl)alkoxy derivatives were found to have much better hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities than 2-(3-pyridyl)- and 2-(4-pyridyl)alkoxy derivatives or even the previously reported compound, ciglitazone. The introduction of a hydroxyl group at the 2-position of the ethoxy chain potentiated the activities. Among the potent compounds, pioglitazone (AD-4833) was selected as a candidate compound.

Modulation of calmodulin function and of Ca2+-induced smooth muscle contraction by the calmodulin antagonist, HT-74.

The relationship between the functions of calmodulin (CaM) and Ca2+-induced smooth muscle contraction was investigated using a newly synthesized CaM antagonist, 3-(2-benzothiazolyl)-4,5-dimethoxy-N-[3-(4- -phenylpiperidinyl)propyl]benzenesulfonamide (HT-74). We noted a selectivity of HT-74 for CaM, compared to other calcium-binding proteins and target enzymes of CaM. As HT-74 had no significant effect on the intensity of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence in the presence of the Ca2+-CaM complex, the HT-74-binding sites may differ from those of naphthalenesulfonamides and phenothiazines which decrease ANS fluorescence. The Ca2+ binding to CaM was inhibited significantly by 1.0 microM HT-74, in sharp contrast to phenothiazines and naphthalenesulfonamides which increase the extent of the Ca2+ binding to CaM. Increasing CaM concentrations reversed the HT-74-induced inhibition of CaM-dependent enzymes such as myosin light chain kinase and Ca2+-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, with Ki values of 0.5 microM and 0.4 microM, respectively. In the presence of 0.3 microM HT-74, potassium-depolarized rabbit aortic strips pre-contracted with 0.3 mM CaCl2 relaxed, and this relaxation was completely reversed by the addition of an excess amount of CaCl2 (10 mM). This compound shifted the dose-response curve for CaCl2 to the right, in a competitive manner. However, HT-74 inhibited the phenylephrine-induced contraction elicited in Ca2+-free solution and the calcium ionophore A23187-induced contraction in the presence of calcium ion. Therefore, this agent affects intracellular actions of Ca2+ rather than membrane receptors or the influx of Ca2+. HT-74 is a CaM antagonist which binds to CaM in a manner different from that heretofore reported. It inhibits Ca2+ binding to CaM and produces a competitive inhibition of Ca2+-induced contractions of depolarized vascular smooth muscle.