Hypoglycaemic and insulinotropic effects of a novel oral antidiabetic agent, (-)-N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexane- carbonyl)-D-phenylalanine (A-4166)

1 (-)-N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbonyl)-D-phenylalanine (A-4166), a novel oral hypoglycaemic agent is a non-sulphonylurea insulin secretagogue. 2 We investigated the insulin-releasing action and hypoglycaemic effect of A-4166 compared to sulphonylureas in vitro and in vivo. 3 A-4166 stimulated insulin secretion from rat freshly isolated pancreatic islets at concentrations from 3 x 10^-6 M to 3 x 10^-4 M in the presence of 2.8 mM glucose. There was no obvious difference in glucose dependency between the insulinotropic effect of A-4166 and that of glibenclamide, and no additive or synergistic effect was observed between these two drugs. 4 A-4166 displaced [³H]-glibenclamide bound to intact HIT-T15 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The K(i) value was 4.34 ± 0.04 x 10^-7 M, and the displacement potency of A-4166 was between that of glibenclamide and tolbutamide, being similar to that of gliclazide. 5 In fasted beagle dogs, A-4166 showed a dose-dependent hypoglycaemic effect after oral administration over the range 1 to 10 mg kg^-1. The hypoglycaemic action of A-4166 showed an earlier onset and a shorter duration than that of sulphonylureas. 6 Simultaneous measurement of plasma insulin levels revealed that the hypoglycaemic effect of A-4166 was caused by a rapid-onset and brief burst of insulin secretion. 7 The pharmacokinetic profile of A-4166 was consistent with the changes of the blood glucose and plasma insulin levels. 8 Although the in vitro insulin-releasing effect of A-4166 was similar to that of sulphonylureas, its hypoglycaemic effect was more rapid and shorter-lasting, associated with rapid absorption and clearance. Thus, A-4166 may be useful in suppressing postprandial hyperglycaemia in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.