Discovery of a Partial Glucokinase Activator Clinical Candidate: Diethyl ((3-(3-((5-(Azetidine-1-carbonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)oxy)-5-isopropoxybenzamido)-1-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)phosphonate (BMS-820132).

Glucokinase (GK) is a key regulator of glucose homeostasis, and its small-molecule activators represent a promising opportunity for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Several GK activators have been advanced into clinical trials and have demonstrated promising efficacy; however, hypoglycemia represents a key risk for this mechanism. In an effort to mitigate this hypoglycemia risk while maintaining the efficacy of the GK mechanism, we have investigated a series of amino heteroaryl phosphonate benzamides as ''partial" GK activators.

The dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/gamma activator muraglitazar prevents the natural progression of diabetes in db/db mice.

There are two major defects in type 2 diabetes: 1) insulin resistance and 2) insulin deficiency due to loss of beta-cell function. Here we demonstrated that treatment with muraglitazar (a dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/gamma activator), when initiated before or after the onset of diabetes in mice, is effective against both defects. In study 1, prediabetic db/db mice were treated for 12 weeks.

A novel calcium-sensing receptor antagonist transiently stimulates parathyroid hormone secretion in vivo.

Circulating calcium (Ca(2+)) is a primary regulator of bone homeostasis through its action on PTH secretion. Extracellular Ca(2+) modulates PTH secretion through a cell surface G protein-coupled receptor, the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR). The expression of the CaR suggests a critical role in cellular regulation by calcium in various organs, including parathyroid gland, bone, and kidney.

The ability of statins to inhibit bone resorption is directly related to their inhibitory effect on HMG-CoA reductase activity.

Statins, which are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, decrease the hepatic biosynthesis of cholesterol by blocking the mevalonate pathway. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate drugs also inhibit the mevalonate pathway, preventing the production of the isoprenoids, which consequently results in the inhibition of osteoclast formation and osteoclast function. Therefore, we hypothesized that statins could affect bone metabolism in vivo through effects on osteoclastic bone resorption.