The effects of TAK-875, a selective G protein-coupled receptor 40/free fatty acid 1 agonist, on insulin and glucagon secretion in isolated rat and human islets.

Journal article

G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40)/free fatty acid 1 (FFA1) is a G protein-coupled receptor involved in free fatty acid-induced insulin secretion. To analyze the effect of our novel GPR40/FFA1-selective agonist, [(3S)-6-({2',6'-dimethyl-4'-[3-(methylsulfonyl)propoxy]biphenyl-3-yl}methoxy)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]acetic acid hemi-hydrate (TAK-875), on insulin and glucagon secretion, we performed hormone secretion assays and measured intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺](i)) in both human and rat islets. Insulin and glucagon secretion were measured in static and dynamic conditions by using groups of isolated rat and human pancreatic islets. [Ca²⁺](i) was recorded by using confocal microscopy. GPR40/FFA1 expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In both human and rat islets, TAK-875 enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. The stimulatory effect of TAK-875 was similar to that produced by glucagon-like peptide-1 and correlated with the elevation of β-cell [Ca²⁺](i). TAK-875 was without effect on glucagon secretion at both 1 and 16 mM glucose in human islets. These data indicate that GPR40/FFA1 influences mainly insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. The β-cell-specific action of TAK-875 in human islets may represent a therapeutically useful feature that allows plasma glucose control without compromising counter-regulation of glucagon secretion, thus minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia.

Authors: Yashiro, H; Tsujihata, Y; Takeuchi, K; Hazama, M; Johnson, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics
• Volume: 340
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 483-489
• Publication date: 2012-02-01
• DOI: 10.1124/jpet.111.187708
• EISSN: 1521-0103
• ISSN: 0022-3565
• Language: English
• Keywords: Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; Receptors, Drug; Humans; Sulfonylurea Receptors; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Glucagon; Insulin; Animals; Sulfones; Calcium Signaling; Islets of Langerhans; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Drug Synergism; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; Glucose; Rats; Glucagon-Secreting Cells; Benzofurans; Gene Expression; Rats, Sprague-Dawley