Effects of Dorzagliatin, a Glucokinase Activator, on α- and β-Cell Function in Individuals With Impaired and Normal Glucose Tolerance

Dorzagliatin is a dual-acting allosteric glucokinase (GCK) activator that increases β-cell glucose sensitivity and second-phase insulin in GCK monogenic diabetes of the young. Actions of dorzagliatin on α- and β-cell function in normal and impaired glucose tolerance are unknown. In this study, dorzagliatin increased second-phase insulin in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance while suppressing glucagon in participants with normal glucose tolerance during a hyperglycemic clamp. With increasing glucose, plasma glucagon and total GLP-1 levels declined progressively. A modest to moderate positive correlation between glucagon and total GLP-1 was observed under both dorzagliatin and placebo treatments.