MBX-102JNJ39659100, a Novel Non-TZD Selective Partial PPAR-γ Agonist Lowers Triglyceride Independently of PPAR-α Activation

Abstract EN

MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 (MBX-102) is a selective, partial PPAR-γ agonist that lowers glucose in the absence of some of the side effects, such as weight gain and edema, that are observed with the TZDs.

Interestingly MBX-102 also displays pronounced triglyceride lowering in preclinical rodent models and in humans.

Although in vitro reporter gene studies indicated that MBX-102 acid is a highly selective PPAR-γ agonist that lacks PPAR-α activity, we sought to determine if PPAR-α activation in vivo could possibly contribute to the triglyceride lowering abilities of MBX-102.

In vivo studies using ZDF and ZF rats demonstrated that MBX-102 lowered plasma triglycerides.

However in ZF rats, MBX-102 had no effect on liver weight or on hepatic expression levels of PPAR-α target genes.

Further in vitro studies in primary human hepatocytes supported these findings.

Finally, the ability of MBX-102 to lower triglycerides was maintained in PPAR-α knockout mice, unambiguously establishing that the triglyceride lowering effect of MBX-102 is PPAR-α independent.

The in vivo lipid lowering abilities of MBX-102 are therefore mediated by an alternate mechanism which is yet to be determined.