A novel SGLT2 inhibitor, SU-011, improves glycaemic control in rodents without the risk of hypoglycaemia and weight gain.

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacological characteristics of SU-011, a novel sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.

Methods: The in vitro activities of SU-011 were investigated in cell-based assays. The urinary glucose excretion, glucose tolerance and the risk of hypoglycaemia were evaluated in mice. Moreover, the dose-response relationship and chronic pharmacological studies of SU-011 were assessed in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic model, a STZ-treated model with impaired insulin secretion.

Key Findings: SU-011 is a potential SGLT2 inhibitor with 5.6 nm inhibitory activity for SGLT2 and 1137-fold selectivity for SGLT1. In healthy mice, SU-011 improves the tolerance to a glucose load and promotes the urinary glucose excretion. Besides, SU-011 (10 mg/kg) still exhibited less risk of hypoglycaemia. During chronic treatment, SU-011 exhibited sustained glucose-lowering effect without the side effect of weight gain in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The levels of non-fasting and fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, food and water intake were significantly decreased in SU-011-treated group. Moreover, SU-011 decreases the plasma levels of interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α and C-reactive protein even better than that of dapagliflozin.

Conclusions: All of these results indicated that SU-011 may be effective for the management of diabetes.