A novel dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma agonist with beneficial effects on insulin resistance and lipid metabolism.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha and gamma are key regulators of lipid homeostasis and insulin resistance. In this study we show that a novel compound, 3-{4-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-oxazol-4-yl)-ethoxy]-phenyl}- 2-[2-(2-nitro-phenoxy)-acetyl amino]-propionic acid (O325H), is an agonist with dual effect on PPARalpha/gamma by using dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. By activating PPARalpha and PPARgamma simultaneously, O325H promotes pre-adipocyte differentiation and up-regulates the expression of glucose and lipid metabolic target genes. In diabetic mice, administration of O325H at 10 mg/kg decreases the blood lipid and glucose levels. Therefore, O325H has dual action on PPARalpha and PPARgamma and is a promising agent for the amelioration of lipid metabolic disorders and diabetes associated with insulin resistance.