A dual PPAR alpha/gamma agonist increases adiponectin and improves plasma lipid profiles in healthy subjects

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MK-0767, a prototypical dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha/gamma agonist, following administration of single and multiple oral doses in healthy male subjects.

The first study was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, alternating two-panel, rising dose protocol in which single doses of 1-80 mg of MK-0767 were administered. The second study was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, staggered incremental dose, parallel-group protocol in which multiple doses of 0.3-25 mg of MK-0767 were administered once daily for 14 days. In both studies at each dose level, six subjects received MK-0767 and two subjects received placebo.

Plasma area under the concentration-time curve and maximum plasma concentration increased with single and multiple doses of MK-0767 over the dose ranges studied. The apparent terminal half-life of MK-0767 averaged approximately 36 hours following single and multiple doses. Steady-state plasma concentrations were achieved following approximately 8 days of multiple doses. Compared with placebo, MK-0767 produced dose-dependent reductions in triglycerides (-26 +/- 8% [p = 0.002] and -33 +/- 13% [p = 0.008]) and free fatty acids (-50 +/- 11% [p < 0.001] and -67 +/- 23% [p = 0.008]) following single and multiple doses, respectively. Significant (p < or = 0.050) dose-dependent alterations in adiponectin (332 +/- 36%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-29 +/- 5%), total cholesterol (-19 +/- 3%), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-28 +/- 4%), and fasting plasma glucose (-6 +/- 2%; only in the 25 mg group) were observed after multiple doses.

The observed effects of MK-0767 on adiponectin, free fatty acids and lipids, even after single doses, demonstrate that this prototypical dual PPAR alpha/gamma agonist has clinically meaningful activity in vivo.