Imeglimin amplifies glucose-stimulated insulin release from diabetic islets via a distinct mechanism of action

Pancreatic islet β-cell dysfunction is characterized by defective glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and is a predominant component of the pathophysiology of diabetes. Imeglimin, a novel first-in-class small molecule tetrahydrotriazine drug candidate, improves glycemia and GSIS in preclinical models and clinical trials in patients with Type 2 diabetes; however, the mechanism by which it restores β-cell function is unknown. Here, we show that imeglimin acutely and directly amplifies GSIS in islets isolated from rodents with Type 2 diabetes via a mode of action that is distinct from other known therapeutic approaches. The underlying mechanism involves increases in the cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) pool—potentially via the salvage pathway and induction of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) along with augmentation of glucose-induced ATP levels. Further, additional results suggest that NAD(+) conversion to a second messenger, cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR), via ADP ribosyl cyclase/cADPR hydrolase (CD38) is required for imeglimin’s effects in islets, thus representing a potential link between increased NAD(+) and enhanced glucose-induced Ca(2+) mobilization which—in turn—is known to drive insulin granule exocytosis. Collectively, these findings implicate a novel mode of action for imeglimin that explains its ability to effectively restore—β-cell function and provides for a new approach to treat patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes.