A novel highly potent and selective 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor, UI-1499.

AIMS

Elevated levels of glucocorticoid hormones cause glucose intolerance, visceral obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) represents as an attractive therapeutic target for treatment of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. This study investigated whether 11β-HSD1 inhibition by a novel selective inhibitor, (1S,3R,4S,5S,7S)-4-(1-((2-fluoro-N-methylphenylsulfonamido)-methyl) cyclopropanecarboxamido) adamantane-1-carboxamide (UI-1499) ameliorated metabolic abnormalities in diabetic mice.

MAIN METHODS

The in vitro activity of 11β-HSD1 was measured using the homogeneous time resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay. Differentiated adipocytes were used to evaluate cellular 11β-HSD1 activity. To determine the inhibitory effects on 11β-HSD1 in tissues, we performed ex vivo studies using liver and epididymal fat isolated from C57BL/6J mice. KKAy mice were administered with UI-1499 to evaluate whether this compound ameliorated metabolic abnormalities in vivo in diabetic animals.

KEY FINDINGS

UI-1499 had highly potent inhibitory activity in mouse, monkey and human 11β-HSD1, derived from liver microsomes. Oral administration of 45 mg/kg UI-1499 significantly inhibited 11β-HSD1 activity in C57BL/6J mouse liver and epididymal fat tissues. In KKAy mice, oral administration of UI-1499 (10 and 30 mg/kg for 3 weeks) lowered fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels; these effects were comparable to those of pioglitazone. Further, UI-1499 treatment lowered plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level in KKAy mice.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest that the 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, UI-1499, may serve as a novel drug candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.