Reduction of insulin resistance in obese and/or diabetic animals by 5-[4-(1-methylcyclohexylmethoxy)benzyl]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (ADD-3878, U-63,287, ciglitazone), a new antidiabetic agent.

Effects of 5-[4-(1-methylcyclohexylmethoxy)benzyl]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (ADD-3878, U-63,287, Ciglitazone) on glucose and lipid metabolism were examined in various animal models. ADD-3878, administered as a dietary admixture (30-186 mg/kg/day) to obese-diabetic yellow KK (KK-Ay) mice, markedly suppressed the diabetic syndromes (hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperinsulinemia), accompanied by the reduction of insulin resistance as manifested by improvement of overall insulin sensitivity in either the insulin tolerance test or the steady-state blood glucose test. Chronic administration of ADD-3878 for as long as 12 wk to young yellow KK mice, which were in the early stage of diabetes and obesity, depressed age-dependent rises in blood glucose, plasma triglyceride, and insulin without exerting any effect on obesity. When orally administered to obese Zucker-fatty rats, ADD-3878 decreased plasma insulin and triglyceride in a dose-dependent manner (5-100 mg/kg/day). The treated rats showed increased tolerance and decreased insulin secretion in response to oral glucose. The glycemic response to insulin and the steady-state plasma glucose were also normalized in the treated rats. Chronic administration of ADD-3878 to young fatty rats for as long as 12 wk decreased the dose-dependent rises in blood glucose, plasma triglyceride, and insulin without exerting any effect on body weight. ADD-3878 had no effect on glucose and lipid metabolism of young Sprague-Dawley rats and mild streptozotocin-diabetic rats. However, in old Sprague-Dawley rats that were moderately insulin resistant and hyperlipidemic compared with young ones, ADD-3878 decreased plasma triglyceride and insulin and improved insulin sensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)