GIPR Agonism Enhances TZD-Induced Insulin Sensitivity in Obese IR Mice.

Recent studies have found that glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) agonism can enhance the metabolic efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist treatment by promoting both weight-dependent and -independent improvements on systemic insulin sensitivity. These findings have prompted new investigations aimed at better understanding the broad metabolic benefit of GIPR activation. Herein, we determined whether GIPR agonism favorably influenced the pharmacologic efficacy of the insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinedione (TZD) rosiglitazone in obese insulin-resistant (IR) mice. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to examine the role of GIPR signaling on rosiglitazone-induced weight gain, hyperphagia, and glycemic control. RNA sequencing was conducted to uncover potential mechanisms by which GIPR activation influences energy balance and insulin sensitivity. In line with previous findings, treatment with rosiglitazone induced the mRNA expression of the GIPR in white and brown fat. However, obese GIPR-null mice dosed with rosiglitazone had equivalent weight gain to that of wild-type (WT) animals. Strikingly, chronic treatment of obese IR WT animals with a long-acting GIPR agonist prevented rosiglitazone-induced weight-gain and hyperphagia, and it enhanced the insulin-sensitivity effect of this TZD. The systemic insulin sensitization was accompanied by increased glucose disposal in brown adipose tissue, which was underlined by the recruitment of metabolic and thermogenic genes. These findings suggest that GIPR agonism can counter the negative consequences of rosiglitazone treatment on body weight and adiposity, while improving its insulin-sensitizing efficacy at the same time.

Tirzepatide induces a thermogenic-like amino acid signature in brown adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVES: Tirzepatide, a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, delivered superior glycemic control and weight loss compared to selective GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). These results have fueled mechanistic studies focused on understanding how tirzepatide achieves its therapeutic efficacy. Recently, we found that treatment with tirzepatide improves insulin sensitivity in humans with T2D and obese mice in concert with a reduction in circulating levels of branched-chain amino (BCAAs) and keto (BCKAs) acids, metabolites associated with development of systemic insulin resistance (IR) and T2D. Importantly, these systemic effects were found to be coupled to increased expression of BCAA catabolic genes in thermogenic brown adipose tissue (BAT) in mice. These findings led us to hypothesize that tirzepatide may lower circulating BCAAs/BCKAs by promoting their catabolism in BAT. METHODS: To address this question, we utilized a murine model of diet-induced obesity and employed stable-isotope tracer studies in combination with metabolomic analyses in BAT and other tissues. RESULTS: Treatment with tirzepatide stimulated catabolism of BCAAs/BCKAs in BAT, as demonstrated by increased labeling of BCKA-derived metabolites, and increases in levels of byproducts of BCAA breakdown, including glutamate, alanine, and 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid (3-HIB). Further, chronic administration of tirzepatide increased levels of multiple amino acids in BAT that have previously been shown to be elevated in response to cold exposure. Finally, chronic treatment with tirzepatide led to a substantial increase in several TCA cycle intermediates (α-ketoglutarate, fumarate, and malate) in BAT. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that tirzepatide induces a thermogenic-like amino acid profile in BAT, an effect that may account for reduced systemic levels of BCAAs in obese IR mice.

GIPR Agonism Inhibits PYY-Induced Nausea-Like Behavior.

The induction of nausea and emesis is a major barrier to maximizing the weight loss profile of obesity medications, and therefore, identifying mechanisms that improve tolerability could result in added therapeutic benefit. The development of peptide YY (PYY)-based approaches to treat obesity are no exception, as PYY receptor agonism is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Here, we sought to determine whether glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor (GIPR) agonism reduces PYY-induced nausea-like behavior in mice. We found that central and peripheral administration of a GIPR agonist reduced conditioned taste avoidance (CTA) without affecting hypophagia mediated by a PYY analog. The receptors for GIP and PYY (Gipr and Npy2r) were found to be expressed by the same neurons in the area postrema (AP), a brainstem nucleus involved in detecting aversive stimuli. Peripheral administration of a GIPR agonist induced neuronal activation (cFos) in the AP. Further, whole-brain cFos analyses indicated that PYY-induced CTA was associated with augmented neuronal activity in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN), a brainstem nucleus that relays aversive/emetic signals to brain regions that control feeding behavior. Importantly, GIPR agonism reduced PYY-mediated neuronal activity in the PBN, providing a potential mechanistic explanation for how GIPR agonist treatment reduces PYY-induced nausea-like behavior. Together, the results of our study indicate a novel mechanism by which GIP-based therapeutics may have benefit in improving the tolerability of weight loss agents.

GIPR agonism mediates weight-independent insulin sensitization by tirzepatide in obese mice.

Tirzepatide (LY3298176), a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, delivered superior glycemic control and weight loss compared with GLP-1R agonism in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism by which tirzepatide improves efficacy and how GIP receptor (GIPR) agonism contributes is not fully understood. Here, we show that tirzepatide is an effective insulin sensitizer, improving insulin sensitivity in obese mice to a greater extent than GLP-1R agonism. To determine whether GIPR agonism contributes, we compared the effect of tirzepatide in obese WT and Glp-1r-null mice. In the absence of GLP-1R-induced weight loss, tirzepatide improved insulin sensitivity by enhancing glucose disposal in white adipose tissue (WAT). In support of this, a long-acting GIPR agonist (LAGIPRA) was found to enhance insulin sensitivity by augmenting glucose disposal in WAT. Interestingly, the effect of tirzepatide and LAGIPRA on insulin sensitivity was associated with reduced branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and ketoacids in the circulation. Insulin sensitization was associated with upregulation of genes associated with the catabolism of glucose, lipid, and BCAAs in brown adipose tissue. Together, our studies show that tirzepatide improved insulin sensitivity in a weight-dependent and -independent manner. These results highlight how GIPR agonism contributes to the therapeutic profile of dual-receptor agonism, offering mechanistic insights into the clinical efficacy of tirzepatide.

Structural basis for GLP-1 receptor activation by LY3502970, an orally active nonpeptide agonist.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are efficacious antidiabetic medications that work by enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion and improving energy balance. Currently approved GLP-1R agonists are peptide based, and it has proven difficult to obtain small-molecule activators possessing optimal pharmaceutical properties. We report the discovery and mechanism of action of LY3502970 (OWL833), a nonpeptide GLP-1R agonist. LY3502970 is a partial agonist, biased toward G protein activation over ß-arrestin recruitment at the GLP-1R. The molecule is highly potent and selective against other class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with a pharmacokinetic profile favorable for oral administration. A high-resolution structure of LY3502970 in complex with active-state GLP-1R revealed a unique binding pocket in the upper helical bundle where the compound is bound by the extracellular domain (ECD), extracellular loop 2, and transmembrane helices 1, 2, 3, and 7. This mechanism creates a distinct receptor conformation that may explain the partial agonism and biased signaling of the compound. Further, interaction between LY3502970 and the primate-specific Trp33 of the ECD informs species selective activity for the molecule. In efficacy studies, oral administration of LY3502970 resulted in glucose lowering in humanized GLP-1R transgenic mice and insulinotropic and hypophagic effects in nonhuman primates, demonstrating an effect size in both models comparable to injectable exenatide. Together, this work determined the molecular basis for the activity of an oral agent being developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, offering insights into the activation of class B GPCRs by nonpeptide ligands.

The anti-obesity effect of FGF19 does not require UCP1-dependent thermogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is a postprandial hormone which plays diverse roles in the regulation of bile acid, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Administration of FGF19 to obese/diabetic mice lowers body weight, improves insulin sensitivity, and enhances glycemic control. The primary target organ of FGF19 is the liver, where it regulates bile acid homeostasis in response to nutrient absorption. In contrast, the broader pharmacologic actions of FGF19 are proposed to be driven, in part, by the recruitment of the thermogenic protein uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white and brown adipose tissue. However, the precise contribution of UCP1-dependent thermogenesis to the therapeutic actions of FGF19 has not been critically evaluated. METHODS: Using WT and germline UCP1 knockout mice, the primary objective of the current investigation was to determine the in vivo pharmacology of FGF19, focusing on its thermogenic and anti-obesity activity. RESULTS: We report that FGF19 induced mRNA expression of UCP1 in adipose tissue and show that this effect is required for FGF19 to increase caloric expenditure. However, we demonstrate that neither UCP1 induction nor an elevation in caloric expenditure are necessary for FGF19 to induce weight loss in obese mice. In contrast, the anti-obesity action of FGF19 appeared to be associated with its known physiological role. In mice treated with FGF19, there was a significant reduction in the mRNA expression of genes associated with hepatic bile acid synthesis enzymes, lowered levels of hepatic bile acid species, and a significant increase in fecal energy content, all indicative of reduced lipid absorption in animals treated with FGF19. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we report that the anti-obesity effect of FGF19 occurs in the absence of UCP1. Our data suggest that the primary way in which exogenous FGF19 lowers body weight in mice may be through the inhibition of bile acid synthesis and subsequently a reduction of dietary lipid absorption.

Regulation of Endogenous (Male) Rodent GLP-1 Secretion and Human Islet Insulin Secretion by Antagonism of Somatostatin Receptor 5.

Incretin and insulin responses to nutrient loads are suppressed in persons with diabetes, resulting in decreased glycemic control. Agents including sulfonylureas and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) partially reverse these effects and provide therapeutic benefit; however, their modes of action limit efficacy. Because somatostatin (SST) has been shown to suppress insulin and glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion through the Gi-coupled SST receptor 5 (SSTR5) isoform in vitro, antagonism of SSTR5 may improve glycemic control via intervention in both pathways. Here, we show that a potent and selective SSTR5 antagonist reverses the blunting effects of SST on insulin secretion from isolated human islets, and demonstrate that SSTR5 antagonism affords increased levels of systemic GLP-1 in vivo. Knocking out Sstr5 in mice provided a similar increase in systemic GLP-1 levels, which were not increased further by treatment with the antagonist. Treatment of mice with the SSTR5 antagonist in combination with a DPP4i resulted in increases in systemic GLP-1 levels that were more than additive and resulted in greater glycemic control compared with either agent alone. In isolated human islets, the SSTR5 antagonist completely reversed the inhibitory effect of exogenous SST-14 on insulin secretion. Taken together, these data suggest that SSTR5 antagonism should increase circulating GLP-1 levels and stimulate insulin secretion (directly and via GLP-1) in humans, improving glycemic control in patients with diabetes.

Correlation of disease severity with body weight and high fat diet in the FATZO/Pco mouse.

Obesity in many current pre-clinical animal models of obesity and diabetes is mediated by monogenic mutations; these are rarely associated with the development of human obesity. A new mouse model, the FATZO mouse, has been developed to provide polygenic obesity and a metabolic pattern of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, that support the presence of insulin resistance similar to metabolic disease in patients with insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes. The FATZO mouse resulted from a cross of C57BL/6J and AKR/J mice followed by selective inbreeding for obesity, increased insulin and hyperglycemia. Since many clinical studies have established a close link between higher body weight and the development of type 2 diabetes, we investigated whether time to progression to type 2 diabetes or disease severity in FATZO mice was dependent on weight gain in young animals. Our results indicate that lighter animals developed metabolic disturbances much slower and to a lesser magnitude than their heavier counterparts. Consumption of a diet containing high fat, accelerated weight gain in parallel with disease progression. A naturally occurring and significant variation in the body weight of FATZO offspring enables these mice to be identified as low, mid and high body weight groups at a young age. These weight groups remain into adulthood and correspond to slow, medium and accelerated development of type 2 diabetes. Thus, body weight inclusion criteria can optimize the FATZO model for studies of prevention, stabilization or treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Validation of diacyl glycerolacyltransferase I as a novel target for the treatment of obesity and dyslipidemia using a potent and selective small molecule inhibitor.

A highly potent and selective DGAT-1 inhibitor was identified and used in rodent models of obesity and postprandial chylomicron excursion to validate DGAT-1 inhibition as a novel approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Specifically, compound 4a conferred weight loss and a reduction in liver triglycerides when dosed chronically in DIO mice and depleted serum triglycerides following a lipid challenge in a dose-dependent manner, thus, reproducing major phenotypical characteristics of DGAT-1(-/-) mice.

Discovery and metabolic stabilization of potent and selective 2-amino-N-(adamant-2-yl) acetamide 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors.

Starting from a rapidly metabolized adamantane 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) inhibitor 22a, a series of E-5-hydroxy-2-adamantamine inhibitors, exemplified by 22d and (+/-)-22f, was discovered. Many of these compounds are potent inhibitors of 11beta-HSD1 and are selective over 11beta-HSD2 for multiple species (human, mouse, and rat), unlike other reported species-selective series. These compounds have good cellular potency and improved microsomal stability. Pharmacokinetic profiling in rodents indicated moderate to large volumes of distribution, short half-lives, and a pharmacokinetic species difference with the greatest exposure measured in rat with 22d. One hour postdose liver, adipose, and brain tissue 11beta-HSD1 inhibition was confirmed with (+/-)-22f in a murine ex vivo assay. Although 5,7-disubstitued-2-adamantamines provided greater stability, a single, E-5-position, polar functional group afforded inhibitors with the best combination of stability, potency, and selectivity. These results indicate that adamantane metabolic stabilization sufficient to obtain short-acting, potent, and selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors has been discovered.

Constrained 7-fluorocarboxychromone-4-aminopiperidine based Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists: the effects of chirality on substituted indan-1-ylamines.

The incorporation of constrained tertiary amines into an existing class of N-benzyl-4-aminopiperidinyl chromone-based MCHr1 antagonists led to the identification of a series of chiral racemic compounds that displayed good to excellent functional potency, binding affinity, and selectivity over the hERG channel. Further separation of two distinct chiral racemic compounds into their corresponding pairs of enantiomers revealed a considerable selectivity for MCHr1 for one configuration, in addition to a striking difference in oral exposure between one pair of enantiomers in diet-induced obese mice. Oral administration of the most potent compound in this class in the same animal model led to significant reduction of fat mass in a semi-chronic model for weight loss.

Optimization of chromone-2-carboxamide melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists: assessment of potency, efficacy, and cardiovascular safety.

Evaluation of multiple structurally distinct series of melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists in an anesthetized rat cardiovascualar assay led to the identification of a chromone-2-carboxamide series as having excellent safety against the chosen cardiovascular endpoints at high drug concentrations in the plasma and brain. Optimization of this series led to considerable improvements in affinity, functional potency, and pharmacokinetic profile. This led to the identification of a 7-fluorochromone-2-carboxamide (22) that was orally efficacious in a diet-induced obese mouse model, retained a favorable cardiovascular profile in rat, and demonstrated dramatic improvement in effects on mean arterial pressure in our dog cardiovascular model compared to other series reported by our group. However, this analogue also led to prolongation of the QT interval in the dog that was linked to affinity for hERG channel and unexpectedly potent functional blockade of this ion channel.

Discovery and pharmacological evaluation of growth hormone secretagogue receptor antagonists.

The discovery and pharmacological evaluation of potent, selective, and orally bioavailable growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) antagonists are reported. Previously, 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-based GHS-R antagonists reported from our laboratories have been shown to be dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors. By comparing the X-ray crystal structure of DHFR docked with our GHS-R antagonists and GHS-R modeling, we designed and synthesized a series of potent and DHFR selective GHS-R antagonists with good pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles. An amide derivative 13d (Ca2+ flux IC50 = 188 nM, [brain]/[plasma] = 0.97 @ 8 h in rat) showed a 10% decrease in 24 h food intake in rats, and over 5% body weight reduction after 14-day oral treatment in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. In comparison, a urea derivative 14c (Ca2+ flux IC50 = 7 nM, [brain]/[plasma] = 0.0 in DIO) failed to show significant effect on food intake in the acute feeding DIO model. These observations demonstrated for the first time that peripheral GHS-R blockage with small molecule GHS-R antagonists might not be sufficient for suppressing appetite and inducing body weight reduction.

Chronic treatment with either dexfenfluramine or sibutramine in diet-switched diet-induced obese mice.

Dexfenfluramine (DEX) and sibutramine (SIB) are effective antiobesity agents. Their effects on weight control and hormone profile have not been previously studied in diet-switched diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, in which treatment is initiated upon cessation of a low-fat diet and resumption of a high-fat diet. Furthermore, their effects on circulating ghrelin in obese humans or in animal models of obesity have not yet been reported. Male C57Bl/6J DIO mice after 16 wk on a high-fat diet (HF, 60 kcal% fat) were switched to a low-fat diet (LF, 10 kcal% fat) for 50 d. HF diet resumed concurrently with treatment for 28 d with DEX 3 and 10 mg/kg, twice a day (BID); SIB 5 mg/kg BID; or vehicle. Rapid weight regain ensued in vehicle-treated DIO mice. DEX or SIB treatment significantly blunted the body weight gain. Caloric intake was decreased acutely by DEX or SIB vs vehicle during the first 2 d treatment, but returned to control after 5 d. At the end of study, epididymal fat weight and whole body fat mass determined by DEXA scan were decreased by DEX 10 mg/kg, and whole body lean mass decreased with DEX 3 mg/kg treatment. Circulating ghrelin on d 28 was increased with either DEX 3 or 10 mg/kg treatment, while growth hormone and insulin were decreased. Leptin was also decreased in the DEX 10 mg/kg group. SIB did not significantly affect fat mass, ghrelin, growth hormone, insulin, or leptin. Mice chronically fed LF diet maintained a lower caloric intake, gained less weight and fat mass than diet-switched mice, and had higher ghrelin and lower insulin and leptin. In summary, weight regain in diet-switched DIO mice is delayed with either DEX or SIB treatment. DEX treatment of diet-switched DIO mice decreased growth hormone, insulin, leptin, fat mass, lean mass, and increased ghrelin, while SIB only decreased body weight.

2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives as potent growth hormone secretagogue receptor antagonists.

Ghrelin, a gut-derived orexigenic hormone, is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Centrally administered ghrelin has been shown to cause hunger and increase food intake in rodents. Inhibition of ghrelin actions with ghrelin antibody, peptidyl GHS-R antagonists, and antisense oligonucleosides resulted in weight loss and food intake decrease in rodents. Here we report the effects of GHS-R antagonists, some of which were potent, selective, and orally bioavailable. A structure-activity relationship study led to the discovery of 8a, which was effective in decreasing food intake and body weight in several acute rat studies.