A New Antidiabetic Agent Showing Short- and Long-Term Effects Due to Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha/Gamma Dual Agonism and Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Inhibition

A new series of analogues or derivatives of the previously reported PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonist LT175 allowed the identification of ligand 10, which was able to potently activate both PPAR alpha and -gamma subtypes as full and partial agonists, respectively. Docking studies were performed to provide a molecular explanation for this different behavior on the two different targets. In vivo experiments showed that this compound induced a significant reduction in blood glucose and lipid levels in an STZinduced diabetic mouse model displaying no toxic effects on bone, kidney, and liver. By examining in depth the antihyperglycemic activity of 10, we found out that it produced a slight but significant inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, acting also through insulin-independent mechanisms. This is the first example of a PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonist reported to show this inhibitory effect representing, therefore, the potential lead of a new class of drugs for treatment of dyslipidemic type 2 diabetes.