Anagliptin (SK-0403) is a potent inhibitor of DPP-4 (IC50 of 3.8 nM) used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

DPP8:68 nM , DPP9:60 nM, DPP4:3.8 nM

Soluble DPP-4 augmented cultured SMC proliferation, and anagliptin suppressed the proliferation by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation.?In THP-1 cells, anagliptin reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α production with inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB.?Quantitative analysis also showed that anagliptin reduced the area of atherosclerotic lesion in apoE-deficient mice[1].

Treatment with anagliptin for 16 wk significantly reduced accumulation of monocytes and macrophages in the vascular wall, SMC content in plaque areas, and oil red O-stained area around the aortic valve without affecting glucose tolerance or body weight.?Serum DPP-4 concentrations were significantly higher in apoE-deficient mice than control mice, and the levels increased with aging, suggesting the involvement of DPP-4 in the progression of atherosclerosis[1]. Anagliptin treatment significantly decreased the plasma total cholesterol (14% reduction, P < 0.01) and triglyceride levels (27% reduction, P < 0.01). Both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also decreased significantly by anagliptin treatment. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 messenger ribonucleic acid expression level was significantly decreased at night in anagliptin-treated mice (15% reduction, P < 0.05). Anagliptin significantly suppressed sterol regulatory element-binding protein activity in HepG2 cells (21% decrease, P < 0.001)[2].

Male low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice were administered 0.3% anagliptin in their diet.?Plasma lipid levels were assayed and lipoprotein profile was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.?Hepatic gene expression was examined by deoxyribonucleic acid microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses[2].