18F9 (4-(3,6-bis (ethoxycarbonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno (2,3-c) pyridin-2-ylamino)-4-oxobutanoic acid) enhances insulin-mediated glucose uptake in vitro and exhibits antidiabetic activity in vivo in db/db mice.

Insulin resistance is central to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Previous studies have demonstrated that compounds that cause adipogenesis and improve glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells are potential insulin sensitizers. Therefore, we evaluated one such compound, 18F9, for (1) adipogenesis in human subcutaneous preadipocyte (SQ) cells, (2) glucose uptake in human skeletal muscle myotubes and SQ cells, and (3) antidiabetic activity in db/db mice. We also investigated its effect on ex vivo glucose uptake in soleus muscle isolated from continuously treated db/db mice. Gene expression profiling in soleus muscle and epididymal fat of db/db mice was performed to understand its effect on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and thermogenesis. 18F9 enhanced adipogenesis in SQ cells and increased glucose uptake in SQ and human skeletal muscle myotubes cells. In db/db mice, 18F9 exhibited dose-dependent reduction in plasma glucose and insulin level. Interestingly, 18F9 was as efficacious as rosiglitazone but did not cause body weight gain and hepatic adverse effects. In addition, 18F9 demonstrated no change in plasma volume in Wistar rats. Furthermore, it enhanced ex vivo glucose uptake in soleus muscles in these mice, which substantiates our in vitro findings. Human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma transactivation assay revealed a weak peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma transactivation potential (44% of rosiglitazone at 10 mumol/L) of 18F9. Gene expression profiling indicated that 18F9 increased insulin sensitivity mainly through a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent mechanism. 18F9 also up-regulated genes involved in lipid transport and synthesis at par with rosiglitazone. Unlike rosiglitazone, 18F9 elevated the expression of Pdk4. In addition, 18F9 elevated the expression of glycogen synthase and adiponectin significantly higher than rosiglitazone. Taken together, these observations suggest that 18F9 is a safer and potent insulin sensitizer that demonstrates promising antidiabetic activity and is worth further development.