11
-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11
-HSD1) isthe enzyme that converts cortisone to cortisol. A growing body ofevidence suggests that selective inhibition of 11
-HSD1 could potentially treat metabolic syndrome as well as type 2 diabetes. Throughmodification of our initial lead
1, we have discovered trifluoromethylthiazolone
17. This compound had a
Ki of 22 nM, possessed low invivo clearance, and showed a 91% inhibition of adipose 11
-HSD1enzymatic activity in a mouse ex vivo pharmacodynamic model.