Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) is an orphan
G protein-coupled receptor implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Here, we report the
biologic effects of a highly optimized
BRS-3 agonist, (2S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-[4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]-3-(4-{[1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropyl]methyl}-1H-imidazol-2-yl)propan-2-ol (MK-5046). Single oral doses of
MK-5046 inhibited 2-h and overnight food intake and increased fasting metabolic rate in wild-type but not Brs3 knockout mice. Upon dosing for 14 days,
MK-5046 at 25 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) reduced
body weight of diet-induced obese mouse by 9% compared with vehicle-dosed controls. In mice, 50% brain receptor occupancy was achieved at a plasma concentration of 0.34 ± 0.23 μM. With chronic dosing, effects on metabolic rate, rather than food intake, seem to be the predominant mechanism for
weight reduction by
MK-5046. The compound also effectively reduced
body weight in rats and caused modest increases in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. These latter effects on temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure were transient in nature and desensitized with continued dosing.
MK-5046 is the first
BRS-3 agonist with properties suitable for use in larger mammals. In dogs,
MK-5046 treatment produced statistically significant and persistent
weight loss, which was initially accompanied by increases in body temperature and heart rate that abated with continued dosing. Our results demonstrate antiobesity efficacy for
MK-5046 in rodents and dogs and further support
BRS-3 agonism as a new approach to the treatment of
obesity.