Topical Intestinal Aminoimidazole Agonists of G-Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor 1 Promote Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Secretion and Improve Glucose Tolerance

J Med Chem. 2017 May 25;60(10):4185-4211. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01873. Epub 2017 May 5.

Abstract

The role of the G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor TGR5 in various organs, tissues, and cell types, specifically in intestinal endocrine L-cells and brown adipose tissue, has made it a promising therapeutical target in several diseases, especially type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, recent studies have shown deleterious on-target effects of systemic TGR5 agonists. To avoid these systemic effects while stimulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secreting enteroendocrine L-cells, we have designed TGR5 agonists with low intestinal permeability. In this article, we describe their synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation. Among them, compound 24 is a potent GLP-1 secretagogue, has low effect on gallbladder volume, and improves glucose homeostasis in a preclinical murine model of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, making the proof of concept of the potential of topical intestinal TGR5 agonists as therapeutic agents in type-2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amination
  • Animals
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / metabolism*
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / chemistry*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Imidazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Intestinal Absorption
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / agonists*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism

Substances

  • GPBAR1 protein, human
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Imidazoles
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Glucose