Insulinotropic action of novel succinic acid esters.

The insulinotropic action of several new esters of succinic acid was assessed in isolated rat islets incubated in the presence of 7 mM D-glucose. An efficient secretory response was observed with the monobenzyl, monoisopropyl, monoallyl, monopropyl, monoethyl, monobutyl, dibutyl, dipropyl and diallyl esters of succinic acid. This indicates that it is possible to design esters of succinic acid which act as insulin secretagogues, while avoiding the undesirable generation of methanol that otherwise results from the use of either the monomethyl or dimethyl ester of this dicarboxylic acid.