PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Yoshiyuki Tsujihata AU - Ryo Ito AU - Masami Suzuki AU - Ayako Harada AU - Nobuyuki Negoro AU - Tsuneo Yasuma AU - Yu Momose AU - Koji Takeuchi TI - TAK-875, an Orally Available G Protein-Coupled Receptor 40/Free Fatty Acid Receptor 1 Agonist, Enhances Glucose-Dependent Insulin Secretion and Improves Both Postprandial and Fasting Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetic Rats AID - 10.1124/jpet.111.183772 DP - 2011 Oct 01 TA - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics PG - 228--237 VI - 339 IP - 1 4099 - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/339/1/228.short 4100 - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/339/1/228.full SO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther2011 Oct 01; 339 AB - G protein-coupled receptor 40/free fatty acid receptor 1 (GPR40/FFA1) is highly expressed in pancreatic β cells and mediates free fatty acid-induced insulin secretion. This study examined the pharmacological effects and potential for avoidance of lipotoxicity of [(3S)-6-({2′,6′-dimethyl-4′-[3-(methylsulfonyl)propoxy]biphenyl-3-yl}meth-oxy)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]acetic acid hemi-hydrate) (TAK-875), a novel, orally available, selective GPR40 agonist. Insulinoma cell lines and primary rat islets were used to assess the effects of TAK-875 in vitro. The in vivo effects of TAK-875 on postprandial hyperglycemia, fasting hyperglycemia, and normoglycemia were examined in type 2 diabetic and normal rats. In rat insulinoma INS-1 833/15 cells, TAK-875 increased intracellular inositol monophosphate and calcium concentration, consistent with activation of the Gqα signaling pathway. The insulinotropic action of TAK-875 (10 μM) in INS-1 833/15 and primary rat islets was glucose-dependent. Prolonged exposure of cytokine-sensitive INS-1 832/13 to TAK-875 for 72 h at pharmacologically active concentrations did not alter glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, insulin content, or caspase 3/7 activity, whereas prolonged exposure to palmitic or oleic acid impaired β cell function and survival. In an oral glucose tolerance test in type 2 diabetic N-STZ-1.5 rats, TAK-875 (1–10 mg/kg p.o.) showed a clear improvement in glucose tolerance and augmented insulin secretion. In addition, TAK-875 (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly augmented plasma insulin levels and reduced fasting hyperglycemia in male Zucker diabetic fatty rats, whereas in fasted normal Sprague-Dawley rats, TAK-875 neither enhanced insulin secretion nor caused hypoglycemia even at 30 mg/kg. TAK-875 enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and improves both postprandial and fasting hyperglycemia with a low risk of hypoglycemia and no evidence of β cell toxicity.