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The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors that contribute to the regulation of lipid, glucose and cholesterol homeostases. They are considered as therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases such as dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Various PPAR agonists have been developed, but most of them contain a carboxylic acid (CA) or thiazolidinedione (TZD) moiety, which is essential for the activity. However, we recently discovered non-CA/non-TZD class PPARα/δ dual agonists having an acetamide structure. Here, we describe structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of these novel acetamide-based PPARα/δ dual agonists. The SAR studies revealed that the acetamide functionality and adjacent methyl group contribute greatly to the agonistic activity. Compound ( S )-10 was the most potent PPARα/δ dual agonist among the compounds synthesized (PPARα EC 50 = 17 nM, PPARδ EC 50 = 23 nM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes offers a promising strategy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and metabolic diseases. Selective and dual PPAR agonists have been developed and the systematic characterization of their structure–activity relationships (SAR) is of major significance. Herein, we report a systematic description of the SAR of 168 compounds screened against the three PPAR subtypes using the principles of activity landscape modeling. As part of our effort to develop and apply chemoinformatic tools to navigate through activity landscapes, we employed consensus dual-activity difference maps recently reported. The analysis is based on pairwise relationships of potency difference and structure-similarity which were calculated from the combination of four different 2D and 3D structure representations. Dual-activity difference maps uncovered regions in the landscape with similar SAR for two or three receptor subtypes as well as regions with inverse SAR, that is, changes in structure that increase activity for one subtype but decrease activity for the other subtype. Analysis of pairs of compounds with high structure similarity revealed the presence of single-, dual-, and ‘pan-receptor’ activity cliffs, that is, small changes in structure with high changes in potency for one, two, or three receptor subtypes, respectively. Single-, dual-, and pan-receptor scaffold hops are also discussed. The analysis of the chemical structures of selected data points reported in this paper points to specific structural features that are helpful for the design of new PPAR agonists. The approach presented in this work is general and can be extended to analyze larger data sets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction of an alkylcarboxylic acid unit, which is a partial structure of endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands, into a phenethylphenylphthalimide skeleton, which possesses liver X receptor (LXR) antagonistic activity, afforded novel PPAR ligands. The results of structure–activity relationship analysis and docking studies led us to the potent PPAR agonists 13c–e. The absolute configuration of 13c–e affects the PPAR subtype selectivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel series of thaizole and oxazole containing phenoxy acetic acid derivatives is reported as PPAR-pan agonists. Incorporation of structurally constrained oxime–ether based linker in the chemotype of a potent PPARδ selective agonist GW-501516 was adapted as designing strategy. In vitro, selected test compounds 12a, 12c, 17a and 18a showed PPAR-pan agonists activities and among these four compounds tested, 12a emerged as highly potent and efficacious compound, while 17a exhibited moderate and balanced PPAR-pan agonistic activity. In vivo, selected test compounds 12a and 17a exhibited significant anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities in relevant animal models. These results support our hypothesis that the introduction of structurally constrained oxime–ether linker between lipophilic tail and acidic head plays an important role in modulating subtype selectivity and subsequently led to the discovery of potent PPAR-pan agonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To elucidate the molecular basis of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) δ partial agonism, X-ray crystal structures of complexes of the PPARδ ligand-binding site with partial agonists are required. Unfortunately, reported PPARδ partial agonists, biphenylcarboxylic acids 1 and 2, possess insufficient aqueous solubility to allow such crystals to be obtained. To improve the aqueous solubility of 1 and 2, substituents were introduced at the 2-position of the biaryl moiety, focusing on disruption of molecular planarity and symmetry. All 2-substituted biphenyl analogs examined showed more potent PPARδ agonistic activity with greater aqueous solubility than 1 or 2. Among these biphenyls, 25 showed potent and selective PPARδ partial agonistic activity (EC50: 5.7nM), with adequate solubility in phosphate buffer (0.022mg/mL). The 2-substituted pyridyl analog 27 showed weaker PPARδ partial agonistic activity (EC50: 76nM) with excellent solubility in phosphate buffer (2.7mg/mL; at least 2700 times more soluble than 2). Our results indicate that two strategies to improve aqueous solubility, that is, introduction of substituent(s) to modify the dihedral angle and to disrupt molecular symmetry, may be generally applicable to bicyclic molecules. Combination of these approaches with the traditional approach of reducing the molecular hydrophobicity may be particularly effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A few novel 1,3-dioxane carboxylic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized to aid in the characterization of PPAR α/γ dual agonists. Structural requirements for PPARα/γ dual agonism of 1,3-dioxane carboxylic acid derivatives included the structural similarity with potent glitazones in fibric acid chemotype. The compounds with this pharmacophore and substituted oxazole as a lipophilic heterocyclic tail were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro PPAR agonistic potential and in vivo hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficacy in animal models. Lead compound 2-methyl-c-5-[4-(5-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-benzyl]-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid 13b exhibited potent hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and insulin sensitizing effects in db/db mice and Zucker fa/fa rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]