3-chloro-5-hydroxy BA is a GPR81 agonist.
GPR81 (HCA1) is a member of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPR81 is predominantly expressed on adipocytes and is activated by the endogenous ligands 2-hydroxypropanoate (lactate). Stimulation of GPR81 in adipose tissue lead to a decrease in the lipolysis of triglycerides by hormone-sensitive lipase, which resulted in reduced transport of fatty acids to the liver and a decrease in hepatic triglycerides [1].
In vitro: In the hGPR81 assay, 3-chloro-5-hydroxybenzoic acid showed the potency against GPR81 with an EC50 of 16 μM. The EC50 of 3-chloro-5-hydroxybenzoic acid against monkey GPR81, dog GPR81, rat GPR81, mouse GPR81, and hamster GPR81 was 17 μM, 67 μM, 7 μM, 22 μM and 27 μM, respectively [1]. 3-chloro-5-hydroxy BA blocked basal ghrelin secretion by primary gastric mucosal cells [2].
In vivo: In mice, oral administration of 3-chloro-5-hydroxybenzoic acid at 30 mg/kg provided a Cmax of 67 μM at approximately 3-fold over the in vitro EC50 with an AUCinf of 54 h μM and a short t1/2 of 1.5 h, and the 100 mg/kg p.o dose attained a Cmax of 342 μM at greater than 15-fold over the observed in vitro EC50 [1].
References:
[1]. Dvorak C A, Liu C, Shelton J, et al. Identification of hydroxybenzoic acids as selective lactate receptor (GPR81) agonists with antilipolytic effects[J]. ACS medicinal chemistry letters, 2012, 3(8): 637-639.
[2]. Engelstoft M S, Park W, Sakata I, et al. Seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor repertoire of gastric ghrelin cells[J]. Molecular metabolism, 2013, 2(4): 376-392.