INSULINOTROPIC ACTION OF NOVEL SUCCINIC ACID-ESTERS

The insulinotropic action of several new esters of succinic acid was a ssessed in isolated rat islets incubated in the presence of 7 mM D-glu cose. An efficient secretory response was observed with the monobenzyl , monoisopropyl, monoallyl, monopropyl, monoethyl, monobutyl, dibutyl, dipropyl and diallyl esters of succinic acid. This indicates that it is possible to design eaters of succinic acid which act as insulin sec retagogues, while avoiding the undesirable generation of methanol that otherwise results from the use of either the monomethyl or dimethyl e ster of this dicarboxylic acid. (C) 1996 The Italian Pharmacological S ociety.