Synthesis and structure-activity relationship for a novel class of potent and selective carbamoyl-triazole based inhibitors of hormone sensitive lipase

The central role of the intracellular enzyme hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in regulating fatty acid metabolism makes it an interesting pharmacological target for the treatment of insulin resistant and dyslipidemic disorders where a decrease in delivery of fatty acids to the circulation is desirable, e.g., in individuals with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or impaired glucose tolerance. On the basis of a lead structure from high throughput screening, we have identified a very potent type of carbamoyl-triazole inhibitors of HSL. As part of the lead optimization program, four new classes of carbamoyl-triazoles were synthesized and tested with respect to potency, efficacy and selectivity. Methyl-phenyl-carbamoyl-triazoles were identified as potent and efficacious HSL inhibitors. These compounds do not inhibit other hydrolases such as hepatic lipase, lipoprotein lipase, pancreatic lipase, and butyrylcholine esterase. However, the inhibitors 4b and 4g with IC50 values for HSL of 0.17 and 0.25 muM, respectively, were the only inhibitors selective against acetylcholine esterase. A reversible pseudosubstrate inhibition mechanism is proposed for this class of inhibitors.