Phenylethylhydrazono-
propionic acid (PEHP) and cyclohexyl-ethylhydrazono-
propionic acid (CHEHP) has been shown to lower
blood glucose concentrations in various laboratory animals after intraperitoneal or oral application. The present study has been conducted to investigate, if these
hydrazones may induce
lactic acidosis like the
biguanides or may cause unwanted side reactions due to an inhibition of monoamino
oxidase like the corresponding
hydrazines. It was found that intramitochondrial and cytoplasmatic redox ratios were not influenced at a
hypoglycemic effective dosage (145 mumol/kg
body weight) of these substances in fasted guinea pigs. An effect on the
acid base status was not observed. Both substances lowered the concentration of
ketone bodies in fasted guinea pigs. In vitro the activity of monoamino
oxidase purified from guinea pig liver was much less inhibited by the
hydrazones than by one of the corresponding
hydrazines (
phenelzine). Furthermore CHEHP (145 mumol/kg
body weight) did not influence the serum activity of various liver
enzymes and the concentration of
triglycerides,
cholesterol and
uric acid in plasma of fasted guinea pigs. It is concluded that CHEHP meets basic requirements for a potential oral
antidiabetic agent.