GPR40 full agonism exerts feeding suppression and weight loss through afferent vagal nerve

Abstract

GPR40/FFAR1 is a Gq protein-coupled receptor expressed in pancreatic β cells and enteroendocrine cells, and mediates insulin and incretin secretion to regulate feeding behavior. Several GPR40 full agonists have been reported to reduce food intake in rodents by regulating gut hormone secretion in addition to their potent glucose-lowering effects; however, detailed mechanisms of feeding suppression are still unknown. In the present study, we characterized T-3601386, a novel compound with potent full agonistic activity for GPR40, by using in vitro Ca2+ mobilization assay in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing FFAR1 and in vivo hormone secretion assay. We also evaluated feeding suppression and weight loss after the administration of T-3601386 and investigated the involvement of the vagal nerve in these effects. T-3601386, but not a partial agonist fasiglifam, increased intracellular Ca2+ levels in CHO cells with low FFAR1 expression, and single dosing of T-3601386 in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats elevated plasma incretin levels, suggesting full agonistic properties of T-3601386 against GPR40. Multiple doses of T-3601386, but not fasiglifam, in DIO rats showed dose-dependent weight loss accompanied by feeding suppression and durable glucagon-like peptide-1 elevation, all of which were completely abolished in Ffar1-/- mice. Immunohistochemical analysis in the nuclei of the solitary tract demonstrated that T-3601386 increased the number of c-Fos positive cells, which also disappeared in Ffar1-/- mice. Surgical vagotomy and drug-induced deafferentation counteracted the feeding suppression and weight loss induced by the administration of T-3601386. These results suggest that T-3601386 exerts incretin release and weight loss in a GPR40-dependent manner, and that afferent vagal nerves are important for the feeding suppression induced by GPR40 full agonism. Our novel findings raise the possibility that GPR40 full agonist can induce periphery-derived weight reduction, which may provide benefits such as less adverse effects in central nervous system compared to centrally-acting anti-obesity drugs.

Vagal afferent cholecystokinin receptor activation is required for glucagon‐like peptide‐1–induced satiation

“…Our finding is in line with previous observations where peripheral administration of CCK or GLP‐1 (in the fed state) had no effect on food intake in the SAPCCK model 22 . A recent study investigated the effect of T‐3601386, a synthetic FFA1 receptor agonist, and robust GLP‐1 stimulator, on food intake 49 . T‐3601386 robustly stimulated GLP‐1 secretion in mice, 49 suggesting that the compound can stimulate both Gq and Gs cascades, 39 and presumably stimulate CCK secretion as well.…”

Advances in fatty acids nutrition in dairy cows: from gut to cells and effects on performance

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that activation of the free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1, a.k.a. G proteincoupled receptor 40) in the enterocytes plays an important role in reducing appetite in rodents [129]. The FFAR1 is activated by LCFA in monogastrics [130] and ruminants [131].…”

Dietary Medium-Chain Triglyceride Decanoate Affects Glucose Homeostasis Through GPR84-Mediated GLP-1 Secretion in Mice

“…On the other hand, we cannot also deny the influence of indirect GLP-1 secretion via C10:0-stimulated GPR84 activation by neuronal or immune cells. For example, vagal afferent activation indirectly promotes GLP-1 secretion ( 28 ), and GPR40 stimulation also promotes GLP-1 secretion via the afferent vagal nerve ( 29 ). Further studies using tissue-specific GPR84-deficient mice, or GPR40 and GPR40/GPR84 double-deficient mice are needed to clarify these problems.…”