DC260126: a small-molecule antagonist of GPR40 that protects against pancreatic β-Cells dysfunction in db/db mice

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 11;8(6):e66744. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066744. Print 2013.

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) mediates both acute and chronic effects of free fatty acids (FFAs) on insulin secretion. However, it remains controversial whether inhibition of GPR40 would be beneficial in prevention of type 2 diabetes. This study is designed to evaluate the potential effects of DC260126, a small molecule antagonist of GPR40, on β-cell function following administration of 10 mg/kg dose of DC260126 to obese diabetic db/db mice. Oral glucose tolerance test, glucose stimulated insulin secretion and insulin tolerance test were used to investigate the pharmacological effects of DC260126 on db/db mice after 21-days treatment. Immunohistochemistry and serum biochemical analysis were also performed in this study. Although no significant change of blood glucose levels was found in DC260126-treated mice, DC260126 significantly inhibited glucose stimulated insulin secretion, reduced blood insulin level and improved insulin sensitivity after 3 weeks administration in db/db mice. Moreover, DC260126 reduced the proinsulin/insulin ratio and the apoptotic rate of pancreatic β-cells remarkably in DC260126-treated db/db mice compared to vehicle-treated mice (p<0.05, n = 8). The results suggest that although DC260126 could not provide benefit for improving hyperglycemia, it could protect against pancreatic β-cells dysfunction through reducing overload of β-cells, and it increases insulin sensitivity possibly via alleviation of hyperinsulinemia in db/db mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Obese
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Ffar1 protein, mouse
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Grant from the National Nature Science Foundation of China (81072681), from the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (2007AA02Z301). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.