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Obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease are at epidemic proportions in developed nations globally, representing major causes of ill-health and premature death. The search for drug targets to counter the growing prevalence of metabolic diseases has uncovered G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). GPR120 agonism has been shown to improve inflammation and metabolic health on a systemic level via regulation of adiposity, gastrointestinal peptide secretion, taste preference and glucose homeostasis. Therefore, GPR120 agonists present as a novel therapeutic option that could be exploited for the treatment of impaired metabolic health. This review summarizes the current knowledge of GPR120 functionality and the potential applications of GPR120-specific agonists for the treatment of disease states such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

GPR43 is a receptor for short-chain fatty acids. Preliminary data suggest a putative role for GPR43 in regulating systemic health via processes including inflammation, carcinogenesis, gastrointestinal function, and adipogenesis. GPR43 is involved in secretion of gastrointestinal peptides, which regulate appetite and gastrointestinal motility. This suggests GPR43 may have a role in weight control. Moreover, GPR43 regulates plasma lipid profile and inflammatory processes, which further indicates that GPR43 could have the ability to modulate the etiology and pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the ability of GPR43 to mediate both systemic and tissue specific functions and how GPR43 may be modulated in the treatment of metabolic disease.

Introduction: GPR119 is a recently deorphanised G-protein coupled receptor which has been suggested to be important in mediating systemic metabolic homeostasis. Research to date has primarily focused on the ability of GPR119 to promote euglycaemia and thus as a therapeutic target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Indeed, previous studies have shown that GPR119 promotes glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, pancreatic β-cell function and glucagon-like peptide-1 release, all of which provide valid mechanisms through which GPR119 may improve systemic glucose homeostasis., Areas Covered: In the current review, the authors provide a brief overview of the known functions of GPR119 and then discuss the novel potential for GPR119 to regulate metabolic function in skeletal and cardiac muscle and how this may translate to improvements or impairments in systemic health., Expert Opinion: GPR119 is largely purported as being anti-diabetic and has been rapidly progressed to clinical trials, mainly as anti-diabetic agents. However, emerging data suggest that this class of agonists may have a detrimental effect at the level of the muscle. This may potentiate the development and progression of metabolic diseases such as T2DM. Therefore, further research is required before GPR119 receptor agonists can be prescribed with confidence as an anti-diabetic agent.