Mechanistic investigations of the liver toxicity of the free fatty acid receptor 1 agonist fasiglifam (TAK875) and its primary metabolites.

For fasiglifam (TAK875) and its metabolites the substance-specific mechanisms of liver toxicity were studied. Metabolism studies were run to identify a putatively reactive acyl glucuronide metabolite. In vitro cytotoxicity and caspase 3/7 activation were assessed in primary human and dog hepatocytes in 2D and 3D cell culture.

Team Players or Opponents: Coadministration of Selective Glucagon and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Obese Diabetic Monkeys.

We assessed the therapeutic contribution of the individual components of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) agonists alone and in combination upon energy homeostasis and glycemic control in diet-induced obese, diabetic nonhuman primates. The pharmacological active dose ranges of selective agonists were established through a dose-finding study, followed by a 6-week chronic study. Repeated subcutaneous administration of a selective GCGR agonist (30 µg/kg once daily) did not affect food intake or body weight, whereas the selective GLP-1R agonist (3 µg/kg once daily) alone decreased energy intake by 18% and body weight by 3.

Running on mixed fuel-dual agonistic approach of GLP-1 and GCG receptors leads to beneficial impact on body weight and blood glucose control: A comparative study between mice and non-human primates.

Aim: We performed acute and chronic studies in healthy and diet-induced obese animals using mouse-specific or monkey-specific dual GLP-1R/GCGR agonists to investigate their effects on food intake, body weight, blood glucose control and insulin secretion. The selective GLP-1R agonist liraglutide was used as comparator.

Methods: The mouse-specific dual agonist and liraglutide were tested in lean wild type, GLP-1R knockout and diet-induced obese mice at different doses.

Design of Novel Exendin-Based Dual Glucagon-like Peptide 1 (GLP-1)/Glucagon Receptor Agonists.

Dual activation of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucagon receptor has the potential to lead to a novel therapy principle for the treatment of diabesity. Here, we report a series of novel peptides with dual activity on these receptors that were discovered by rational design. On the basis of sequence analysis and structure-based design, structural elements of glucagon were engineered into the selective GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4, resulting in hybrid peptides with potent dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor activity.

Modulation of Hexadecyl-LPA-Mediated Activation of Mast Cells and Microglia by a Chemical Probe for LPA5.

Mast cells and microglia play a critical role in innate immunity and inflammation and can be activated by a wide range of endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has recently been reported to activate mast cells and microglia. Using the human mast cell line HMC-1 and the mouse microglia cell line BV-2, we show that LPA-mediated activation can be prevented by blockade of the LPA receptor 5 (LPA5) in both cell lines.

Selective inhibition of 12-lipoxygenase protects islets and beta cells from inflammatory cytokine-mediated beta cell dysfunction.

Aims/hypothesis: Islet inflammation leads to loss of functional pancreatic beta cell mass. Increasing evidence suggests that activation of 12-lipoxygenase leads to inflammatory beta cell loss. This study evaluates new specific small-molecule inhibitors of 12-lipoxygenase for protecting rodent and human beta cells from inflammatory damage.

Factor Xa inhibitors based on a 2-carboxyindole scaffold: SAR of neutral P1 substituents.

A series of novel, highly potent 2-carboxyindole-based factor Xa inhibitors is described. Structural requirements for neutral ligands, which bind in the S1 pocket of factor Xa were investigated with the 2-carboxyindole scaffold. This privileged fragment assembly approach yielded a set of equipotent, selective inhibitors with structurally diverse neutral P1 substituents.

Novel factor Xa inhibitors based on a benzoic acid scaffold and incorporating a neutral P1 ligand.

A series of novel, highly potent, achiral factor Xa inhibitors based on a benzoic acid scaffold and containing a chlorophenethyl moiety directed towards the protease S1 pocket is described. A number of structural features, such as the requirements of the P1, P4 and ester-binding pocket ligands were explored with respect to inhibition of factor Xa. Compound 46 was found to be the most potent compound in a series of antithrombotic secondary assays.