The dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist KBP-336 elicits a unique combination of weight loss, antinociception and bone protection - a novel disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug.

BACKGROUND: Despite the extensive research to provide a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD), there is still no approved DMOAD. Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRA) can provide metabolic benefits along with antinociceptive and potential structural preserving effects. In these studies, we tested a DACRA named KBP-336 on a metabolic model of OA in meniscectomised (MNX) rats. METHODS: We evaluated KBP-336's effect on pain-like symptoms in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats on high-fat diet (HFD) that underwent meniscectomy using the von Frey test to measure the 50% paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Short in vivo studies and in vitro cell receptor expression systems were used to illustrate receptor pharmacology. RESULTS: After 30 weeks on HFD, including an 8-week treatment, female MNX animals receiving KBP-336 4.5 nmol/Kg/72 h had lower body weight and smaller adipose tissues than their vehicle-treated counterparts. After 20 weeks on HFD, including an 8-week treatment, male rats receiving KBP-336 had lower body weight than the vehicle group. In both the female and male rats, the MNX groups on KBP-336 treatment had a higher PWT than the vehicle-treated MNX group. Aiming to identify the receptor influencing pain alleviation, KBP-336 was compared to the long-acting human calcitonin (hCTA). Single-dose studies on 12-week-old male rats showed that hCTA lowers CTX-I without affecting food intake, confirming its calcitonin receptor selectivity. On the metabolic OA model with 18 weeks of HFD, including 6-week treatment, hCTA at 100 nmol/Kg/24 h and KBP-336 at 0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 nmol/Kg/72 h produced significantly higher PWT in MNX animals compared to MNX animals on vehicle treatment. hCTA and KBP-336 at 0.5 nmol/Kg did not affect body weight and fat tissues. CONCLUSION: Overall, KBP-336 improved the pain observed in the metabolic OA model. Calcitonin receptor activation proved to be essential in this antinociceptive effect.

The enduring metabolic improvement of combining dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist and semaglutide treatments in a rat model of obesity and diabetes.

Long-acting dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) are novel candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity due to their beneficial effects on body weight, glucose control, and insulin action. However, how the metabolic benefits are maintained after long-lasting treatment is unknown. This study investigates the long-term anti-obesity and anti-diabetic treatment efficacy of the DACRA KBP-336 alone and combined with the GLP-1 analog semaglutide. Zucker diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD) rats with obesity and diabetes received KBP-336 (4.5 nmol/kg Q3D), semaglutide (50 nmol/kg Q3D), or the combination for 7 months, and the treatment impact on body weight, food intake, glucose control, and insulin action was evaluated. Furthermore, serum levels of the cardiac fibrosis biomarker endotrophin were evaluated. KBP-336, semaglutide and the combination lowered body weight significantly compared to the vehicle, with the combination inducing a larger and more sustained weight loss than either monotherapy. All treatments resulted in reduced fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c levels, and improved glucose tolerance compared to vehicle-treated rats. Further, all treatments protected against lost insulin secretory capacity and improved insulin action. Serum levels of endotrophin were significantly lowered by KBP-336 compared to vehicle. This study shows the benefit of combining KBP-336 and semaglutide to obtain significant and sustained weight loss and improved glucose control. Further, KBP-336-driven reductions in circulating endotrophin indicate a clear reduction in the risk of complications. Altogether, KBP-336 is a promising candidate for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes both alone and in combination with GLP-1 analogs.

Are insulin sensitizers the new strategy to treat Type 1 diabetes? A long-acting dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist improves insulin-mediated glycaemic control and controls body weight.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Insulin therapies for Type 1 diabetes (T1D) have limitations, such as glucose fluctuations, hypoglycaemia, and weight gain. Only pramlintide is approved with insulin. However, its short half-life limits efficacy, requiring multiple daily injections and increasing hypoglycaemia risk. New strategies are needed to improve glycaemic control. Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists are potent insulin sensitizers developed for Type 2 diabetes (T2D) as they improve glucose control, reduce body weight, and attenuate hyperglucagonemia. However, it is uncertain if they could be used to treat T1D. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Sprague Dawley rats received a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg·kg-1) to induce T1D. Humulin (1 U/200 g·day-1 or 2 U/200 g·day-1) was continuously infused, while half of the rats received additional KBP-336 (4.5 nmol·kg-1 Q3D) treatment. Bodyweight, food intake, and blood glucose were monitored throughout the study. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed during the study. KEY RESULTS: Treatment with Humulin or Humulin + KBP-336 improved the health of STZ rats. Humulin increased body weight in STZ rats, but KBP-336 attenuated these increases and maintained a significant weight loss. The combination exhibited greater blood glucose reductions than Humulin-treated rats alone, reflected by improved HbA1c levels and glucose control. The combination prevented hyperglucagonemia, reduced amylin levels, and increased pancreatic insulin content, indicating improved insulin sensitivity and beta-cell preservation. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The insulin sensitizer KBP-336 lowered glucagon secretion while attenuating insulin-induced weight gain. Additionally, KBP-336 may prevent hypoglycaemia and improve insulin resistance, which could be a significant advantage for individuals with T1D seeking therapeutic benefits.

Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist treatment reduces biomarkers associated with kidney fibrosis in diabetic rats.

Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) are effective treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). They provide beneficial effects on body weight, glucose control, and insulin action. However, whether DACRAs protect against diabetes-related kidney damage remains unknown. We characterize the potential of long-acting DACRAs (KBP-A, Key Bioscience Peptide-A) as a treatment for T2D-related pathological alterations of the kidney extracellular matrix (ECM) in Zucker diabetic fatty rats (ZDF). We examined levels of endotrophin (profibrotic signaling molecule reflecting collagen type VI formation) and tumstatin (matrikine derived from collagen type IVα3) in serum and evaluated kidney morphology and collagen deposition in the kidneys. We included a study in obese Sprague-Dawley rats to further investigate the impact of KBP-A on ECM biomarkers. In ZDF vehicles, levels of endotrophin and tumstatin increased, suggesting disease progression along with an increase in blood glucose levels. These rats also displayed damage to their kidneys, which was evident from the presence of collagen formation in the medullary region of the kidney. Interestingly, KBP-A treatment attenuated these increases, resulting in significantly lower levels of endotrophin and tumstatin than the vehicle. Levels of endotrophin and tumstatin were unchanged in obese Sprague-Dawley rats, supporting the relation to diabetes-related kidney complications. Furthermore, KBP-A treatment normalized collagen deposition in the kidney while improving glucose control. These studies confirm the beneficial effects of DACRAs on biomarkers associated with kidney fibrosis. Moreover, these antifibrotic effects are likely associated with improved glucose control, highlighting KBP-A as a promising treatment of T2D and its related late complications.NEW & NOTEWORTHY These studies describe the beneficial effects of using a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA) for diabetes-related kidney complications. DACRA treatment reduced levels of serological biomarkers associated with kidney fibrosis. These reductions were further reflected by reduced collagen expression in diabetic kidneys. In general, these results validate the use of serological biomarkers while demonstrating the potential effect of DACRAs in treating diabetes-related long-term complications.

Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist treatment improves insulin sensitivity and increases muscle-specific glucose uptake independent of weight loss.

Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) are known to induce significant weight loss as well as improve glucose tolerance, glucose control, and insulin action in rats. However, to what extent DACRAs affect insulin sensitivity beyond that induced by weight loss and if DACRAs affect glucose turnover including tissue-specific glucose uptake is still unknown. Hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp studies were carried out in pre-diabetic ZDSD and diabetic ZDF rats treated with either the DACRA KBP or the long-acting DACRA KBP-A for 12 days. The glucose rate of disappearance was assessed using 3-3H glucose and tissue-specific glucose uptake was evaluated using 14C-2-deoxy-D-glucose (14C-2DG). In diabetic ZDF rats, KBP treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and improved insulin sensitivity independent of weight loss. Furthermore, KBP increased the rate of glucose clearance, likely by increasing glucose storage, but without altering the endogenous glucose production. This was confirmed in pre-diabetic ZDSD rats. Direct assessment of tissue-specific glucose uptake showed, that both KBP and KBP-A significantly increased glucose uptake in muscles. In summary, KBP treatment significantly improved insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats and markedly increased glucose uptake in muscles. Importantly, in addition to their well-established weight loss potential, the KBPs have an insulin-sensitizing effect independent of weight loss, highlighting DACRAs as promising agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The Impact of Exposure Profile on the Efficacy of Dual Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Agonist Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Dual Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Agonists (DACRAs) are treatment candidates for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Recently, a once-weekly DACRA (KBP-A) showed promise, potentially due to its different exposure profile compared to daily DACRA (KBP). Parathyroid hormone, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) class B agonist, is an example of the exposure profile being critical to the effect. Since KBP and KBP-A also activate GPCR class B, we compared the effects of injection to continuous infusion of short-acting KBP and long-acting KBP-A in obese and diabetic rats to shed light on the role of exposure profiles. METHODS: To explore the metabolic benefits of dose optimization, the following dosing profiles were compared in High Fat Diet (HFD)-fed Sprague-Dawley rats and diabetic Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats: (1) KBP dosed once-daily by injection or by continuous infusion in HFD and ZDF rats; (2) KBP injected once-daily and KBP-A injected once every 3rd day (Q3D) in HFD rats; (3) KBP-A injected Q3D or by infusion in ZDF rats. RESULTS: KBP and KBP-A, delivered by either injection or infusion, resulted in similar weight and food intake reductions in HFD rats. In ZDF rats, injection of KBP improved glucose control significantly compared to infusion, while delivery of KBP-A by injection and continuous infusion was comparable in terms of glucose control. CONCLUSION: different dosing profiles of KBP and KBP-A had no impact on metabolic benefits in HFD rats. In diabetic ZDF rats, KBP by injection instead of infusion was superior, while for KBP-A the effects were similar.

The dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist KBP-089 and the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide act complimentarily on body weight reduction and metabolic profile.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss therapy is becoming more and more important, and two classes of molecules, namely amylin receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonists, have shown promise in this regard. Interestingly, these molecules have several overlapping pharmacological effects, such as suppression of gastric emptying, reduction of glucagon secretion and weight loss in common; however, they also have distinct effects on prandial insulin secretion. Hence, a combination of these two mechanisms is of significant interest. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the add-on potential of the dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA) KBP-089 in combination with the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide as obesity treatment in high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats. RESULTS: Increasing doses of KBP-089 and liraglutide alone and in combination were studied with respect to their effects on body weight, food intake and glucose metabolism during a 9-week intervention study conducted in HFD rats. Further, the gastric emptying rate during an oral glucose tolerance was assessed. Treatment with KBP-089 and liraglutide dose-dependently lowered body weight 15% (at 2.5 µg/kg/day) and 7% (at 400 µg/kg/day) in HFD rats, respectively, while the combination resulted in a 21% body weight reduction, which was mirrored by reduction in fat depot sizes. Gastric emptying and glucose metabolism were improved, primarily by KBP-089, although liraglutide led to a reduction in fasting plasma glucagon. CONCLUSION: DACRAs complement GLP-1 on food intake, body weight, and glucose tolerance indicating the potential for an add-on therapy.

The Calcitonin Receptor Plays a Major Role in Glucose Regulation as a Function of Dual Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Agonist Therapy.

Amylin treatment improves body weight and glucose control, although it is limited by a short action and need for high doses. Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) are dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists with beneficial effects beyond those of amylin. However, to what extent the additional benefits reside in their higher potency or their targeting of the calcitonin receptor remains unclear. Here we deconstruct the receptors involved in the effects of a DACRA, KBP-088, by comparing it to rat amylin (rAMY), rat calcitonin (rCT), and their combination in obese high-fat diet (HFD) and diabetic Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. HFD-fed Sprague-Dawley rats and ZDF rats were treated for 4 weeks with KBP-088 (5 µg/kg per day), rAMY (300 µg/kg per day), rCT (300 µg/kg per day), and the combination of rAMY and rCT (300+300 µg/kg per day) using infusion pumps. Body weight, food intake, fasting glycemia, glycated hemoglobin type A1c levels, and glucose tolerance were assessed. In obese HFD-fed rats, KBP-088, rAMY, and the combination of rAMY and rCT significantly reduced body weight and improved glucose tolerance, whereas rCT alone had no effect. In diabetic ZDF rats, rCT was efficient in lowering fasting glycemia similar to rAMY, whereas dual activation by KBP-088 and the combination of rAMY and rCT were superior to activating either receptor alone. In conclusion, calcitonin therapy regulates fasting blood glucose in a diabetic rat model, thereby underscoring the importance of calcitonin receptor activation as well as the known role of amylin receptor agonism in the potent metabolic benefits of this group of peptides. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We deconstruct the receptors activated by dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA) therapy to elucidate through which receptor the beneficial metabolic effects of the DACRAs are mediated. We show that calcitonin receptor activation is important for blood glucose regulation in diabetes. This is in addition to the known metabolic beneficial role of amylin receptor activation. These data help in understanding the potent metabolic benefits of the DACRAs and underline the potential of DACRAs as treatment for diabetes and obesity.

Dose Frequency Optimization of the Dual Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Agonist KBP-088: Long-Lasting Improvement in Food Preference and Body Weight Loss.

Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) are novel candidates for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity because of their beneficial effects on body weight, blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and food preference, at least short-term. DACRAs activate the receptors for a prolonged time period, resulting in metabolic effects superior to those of amylin. Because of the prolonged receptor activation, different dosing intervals and, hence, less frequent receptor activation might change the efficacy of DACRA treatment in terms of weight loss and food preference. In this study, we compared daily dosing to dosing every other day with the aim of understanding the optimal balance between efficacy and tolerability. Obese and lean male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with the DACRA KBP-088, applying two different dosing intervals (1.5 nmol/kg once daily and 3 nmol/kg every other day) to assess the effect on body weight, food intake, glucose tolerance, and food preference when given the choice between chow (13% fat) and a high-fat diet (60% fat). Treatment with KBP-088 induced significant weight loss, reduction in adiposity, improvement in glucose control, and altered food preference toward food that is less calorie-dense. KBP-088 dosed every other day (3 nmol/kg) was superior to KBP-088 once daily (1.5 nmol/kg) in terms of weight loss and improvement of food preference. The beneficial effects were evident in both lean and obese rats. Hence, dosing KBP-088 every other day positively affects overall efficacy on metabolic parameters regardless of the lean/obese state, suggesting that less-frequent dosing with KBP-088 could be feasible. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Here, we show that food preference can be altered chronically toward choices that are less calorie-dense by pharmacological treatment. Further, pharmacological dosing regimens affect the efficacy differently, as dosing every other day improved body weight loss and alterations in food preference compared with daily dosing. This suggest that alterations of the dosing regimens could be feasible in the treatment of obesity.

The Dual Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Agonist, KBP-066, Induces an Equally Potent Weight Loss Across a Broad Dose Range While Higher Doses May Further Improve Insulin Action.

Pharmacological treatment with dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) cause significant weight loss and improvement of glucose homeostasis. In this study, the maximally efficacious dose of the novel DACRA, KeyBiosciencePeptide (KBP)-066, was investigated. Two different rat models were used: high-fat diet (HFD)-fed male Sprague-Dawley rats and male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF, fa/fa) rats to determine the maximum weight loss and glucose homeostatic effect, respectively. One acute study and one chronic study was performed in HFD rats. Two chronic studies were performed in ZDF rats: a preventive and an interventive. All studies covered a dose range of 5, 50, and 500 µg/kg KBP-066 delivered by subcutaneous injection. Treatment with KBP-066 resulted in a significant weight reduction of 13%-16% and improved glucose tolerance in HFD rats, which was independent of dose concentration. Dosing with 50 and 500 µg/kg led to a transient but significant increase in blood glucose, both in the acute and the chronic study in HFD rats. All doses of KBP-066 significantly improved glucose homeostasis in ZDF rats, both in the preventive and interventive study. Moreover, dosing with 50 and 500 µg/kg preserved insulin secretion to a greater extent than 5 µg/kg when compared with ZDF vehicle rats. Taken together, these results show that maximum weight loss is achieved with 5 µg/kg, which is within the range of previously reported DACRA dosing, whereas increasing dosing concentration to 50 and 500 µg/kg may further improve preservation of insulin secretion compared with 5 µg/kg in diabetic ZDF rats. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Here we show that KeyBiosciencePeptide (KBP)-066 induces an equally potent body weight loss across a broad dose range in obese rats. However, higher dosing of KBP-066 may improve insulin action in diabetic rats both as preventive and interventive treatment.

The Dual Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Agonist KBP-088 Induces Weight Loss and Improves Insulin Sensitivity Superior to Chronic Amylin Therapy.

KBP-088 (KeyBiosciencePeptide 088) is a potent dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA). DACRAs are known to elicit potent activity in terms of typical amylin-induced responses, such as reducing food intake and body weight. However, to what extent amylin infusion can mimic the effects of the dual agonist KBP-088 is unknown. We studied the effect of acute dosing with KBP-088 (5 µg/kg) and rat amylin (100, 300, and 1000 µg/kg) and subsequently compared the chronic effect of KBP-088 (5 µg/kg per day) to increasing doses of rat amylin (100, 300, and 1000 µg/kg per day) delivered by continuous subcutaneous infusion, in high-fat diet (HFD) fed Long-Evans rats. Furthermore, acute amylin sensitivity was investigated. Single dose KBP-088 (5 µg/kg) potently reduced acute food intake for a prolonged period compared with amylin (100, 300, and 1000 µg/kg), confirming the difference in potency. Independent of dose, chronic amylin administration (100, 300, and 1000 µg/kg per day) was less effective than KBP-088 (5 µg/kg per day) in inducing body weight loss (15% with KBP-088, and 5%, 9%, and 8% with amylin, vehicle corrected) and reducing overall adiposity in HFD rats. Moreover, KBP-088 improved oral glucose tolerance with significantly reduced insulin levels (80% reduction) that were better than all doses of amylin (68%, 53%, and 7% reduction). Acute amylin sensitivity was independent of the chronic treatment. Dual activation of amylin and calcitonin receptors by KBP-088 is superior to amylin in reducing body weight and improving glucose tolerance, indicating a role for the calcitonin receptor.