STIMULATION OF INSULIN RELEASE AND POTENTIATION OF THE INSULINOTROPICACTION OF ANTIDIABETIC AGENTS BY 1,2,3-TRI(METHYLSUCCINYL)GLYCEROL ESTER IN ANESTHETIZED RATS

A novel ester of succinic acid (1,2,3-tri(methylsuccinyl)glycerol este r; 3SMG) was found to stimulate insulin release and to potentiate the insulinotropic action of gliquidone and repaglinide when administered intravenously to normal anaesthetized rats in a dose as low as 0.07 mu mol g(-1) body wt. The ester failed, however, to augment plasma insul in concentration when given enterally. The design of succinic acid est ers of high insulinotropic potential might thus allow efficient stimul ation of insulin secretion in non-insulin-dependent diabetes, without requiring unpractical high dosage and without running the risk of an u ndesirable increase in gluconeogenesis. (C) 1997 The Italian Pharmacol ogical Society.