Evaluation of the antidiabetic effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor ASP8497 in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced mildly diabetic mice.

Gastrointestinal hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has a potent glucose-dependent insulinotropic effect and is rapidly degraded by dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV. Therefore, the use of DPP-IV inhibitors is being actively explored as a novel approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated the antidiabetic effects of the DPP-IV inhibitor ASP8497 in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced mildly diabetic mice which possess aggravation of glucose tolerance due to loss of early-phase insulin secretion. ASP8497 exhibited good oral bioavailability with potent inhibition of plasma DPP-IV activity. This inhibitory activity lasted up to 24 h when administered at 5 mg/kg twice a day or 10 mg/kg once a day. A single oral administration of ASP8497 (0.3-3 mg/kg) significantly improved glucose tolerance by increasing plasma insulin and GLP-1 levels during the oral glucose or liquid meal tolerance tests. These effects were seen not only immediately, but also 8 h after administration. In contrast, ASP8497 (0.3-10 mg/kg) had no significant effect on blood glucose and plasma insulin levels under fasting conditions. Furthermore, repeated administration of ASP8497 (5 mg/kg twice a day or 10 mg/kg once a day) for 25 days significantly decreased nonfasting blood glucose and HbA(1c) levels. These results suggest that ASP8497 is a potent and long-acting DPP-IV inhibitor that improves glucose tolerance through glucose-dependent insulinotropic action via the elevation of the GLP-1 level in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced mildly diabetic mice. It is expected to be useful as a therapeutic agent for impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.

Chronic inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV with ASP8497 improved the HbA(1c) level, glucose intolerance, and lipid parameter level in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) is the primary inactivator of glucoregulatory incretin hormones, and DPP-IV inhibitors are expected to become a useful new class of anti-diabetic agent. The aim of the present study is to characterize the chronic in vivo profile of the DPP-IV inhibitor ASP8497. In streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice, ASP8497 was administered orally for 3 weeks at 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg once daily, which improved the hemoglobin A(1c), non-fasting plasma insulin, fasting blood glucose levels, glucose intolerance, and lipid profiles (plasma triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid and total cholesterol) with neutral effect on body weight. The pancreatic insulin content and hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity recovered dose-dependently in ASP8497-treated groups. These results revealed that ASP8497 was successful in improving glycemic control and metabolic parameters in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice. It is therefore suggested that ASP8497 may be a potential agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Synthesis and biological activity of novel 4,4-difluorobenzazepine derivatives as non-peptide antagonists of the arginine vasopressin V1A receptor.

To find potent and selective antagonists of the arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1A receptor, optimization studies of compounds structurally related to (Z)-N-{4'-[(4,4-difluoro-5-carbamoylmethylidene-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepin-1-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}carboxamide were performed. The synthesis and pharmacological properties of these compounds are described. We first investigated the effect of the carboxamide moiety, and found that a 2-methylfuran-3-carbonyl group at this position increased V1A binding affinity and selectivity for the V1A receptor versus the V2 receptor. The amino group of the 5-carbamoylmethylidene moiety was also examined, and a 4-piperidinopiperidino group was found to be optimal at this position. The hemifumarate of compound 12l (YM218) was shown to exhibit potent binding affinity, V1A receptor selectivity, and in vivo antagonist activity.