Amidocarboxylic acid compounds

Abstract

Amidocarboxylic acid compounds of the formula: wherein R 1 represents hydrogen or alkyl; R 2 represents alkylene; R 3 represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, halogen, nitro, dialkylamino, aryl, aralkyl, hydroxyl or acyl; R 4 represents hydrogen or alkyl; X represents an aryl or hetero aryl; Y represents a single bond, oxygen, sulfur or N—R 5 , wherein R 5 is hydrogen, alkyl, aliphatic acyl or aromatic acyl; Z represents alkylene; and W represents alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, aralkylthio, aryloxyalkyl, hetero aryl, hetero aryloxy, hetero alkylthio, heterocyclic, amino, alkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino or aralkyloxycarbonylamino. The compounds are used to treat diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia, arteriosclerosis, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin-resistant non-IGT, fatty liver, diabetic complications, gestational diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, atherosclerosis, arthrosteitis, rheumatic arthritis, allergic diseases, asthma, cancer, autoimmune diseases, pancreatitis and cataracts.

1 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xvi) amino groups, (xvii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (xx) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (xxii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups having from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, when W represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, or  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below when W is selected from the group consisting of (i) amino groups, (ii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (v) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (vii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β, which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said hetero aryl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;  
 said substituents β are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms;  
 a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof;  
 with the proviso that the amidocarboxylic acid derivative does not include compounds wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) pyridyl, (xiii) quinolyl, (xiv) amino groups, (xv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xvi) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,  
 X is a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents α′ defined below or a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below;  
 said substituents α′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β′ defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below and (xx) a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below;  
 said substituents β′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5  wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.  
 
 
     
     
         2 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         3 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         4 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         5 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         6 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is an ethylene group.    
     
     
         7 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         8 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups.    
     
     
         9 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         10 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         11 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and methyl groups.    
     
     
         12 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         13 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         14 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a methylene group.    
     
     
         15 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         16 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl group in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         17 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents αhu  3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         18 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (iv) phenylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is straight or branched chain and has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         19 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         20 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms.    
     
     
         21 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         22 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         23 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         24 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, indolyl, pyridyl and quinolyl groups, which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 11  defined below;    said substituents α 11  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  described below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         25 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups.    
     
     
         26 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of biphenylyl groups, each phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino group.    
     
     
         27 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         28 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         29 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         30 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         31 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  described below on the aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         32 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         33 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms;    X is a biphenylyl group, the substituents of each phenyl moiety may be the same or different and they are selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups), a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, and phenylpyridyl groups (said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         34 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 1 , a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents cc defined below and (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, phenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, 4-ethylphenoxy, 4-isopropylphenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, phenylthio, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below;    said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) halogen atoms, (xi) nitro groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xiv) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms (said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), (xv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms (said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), (xvi) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xxiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atom; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and groups of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         35 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 33 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of an unsubstituted biphenyl group, an unsubstituted pyridyl phenyl group and an unsubstituted phenylpyridyl group.  
     
     
         36 . An amidocarboxylic acid derivative according to  claim 33 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of an unsubstituted biphenyl group and an unsubstituted pyridylphenyl group.  
     
     
         37 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a pharmacologically effective compound together with a pharmacologically acceptable diluent or carrier thereof, wherein said pharmacologically effective compound is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xvi) amino groups, (xvii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (xx) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (xxii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups having from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, when W represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, or  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below when W is selected from the group consisting of (i) amino groups, (ii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (v) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (vii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β, which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;  
 said substituents β are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms;  
 a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof;  
 with the proviso that the amidocarboxylic acid derivative does not include compounds wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) pyridyl, (xiii) quinolyl, (xiv) amino groups, (xv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xvi) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,  
 X is a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents α′ defined below or a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below;  
 said substituents α′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β′ defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below and (xx) a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below;  
 said substituents β′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5  wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.  
 
 
     
     
         38 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         39 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         40 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         41 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         42 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is an ethylene group.    
     
     
         43 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         44 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups.    
     
     
         45 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         46 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         47 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and methyl groups.    
     
     
         48 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         49 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         50 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a methylene group.    
     
     
         51 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         52 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl group in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         53 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         54 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (iv) phenylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is straight or branched chain and has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         55 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         56 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms.    
     
     
         57 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which ma) have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below:    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents 3 defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         58 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         59 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         60 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, indolyl, pyridyl and quinolyl groups, which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 11  defined below;    said substituents α 11  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  described below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         61 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups.    
     
     
         62 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of biphenylyl groups, each phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups) and phenylpyridyl groups (said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino group.    
     
     
         63 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         64 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         65 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below:    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         66 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         67 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  described below on the aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         68 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups; phenoxy; phenylthio; phenylsufonyl; phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         69 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms;    X is a biphenylyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted, wherein the substituents of each phenyl moiety is the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups; a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety being unsubstituted or substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups ; and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety being unsubstituted or substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, nitro and dimethylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         70 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 37 , comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below and (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, phenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, 4-ethylphenoxy, 4-isopropylphenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, phenylthio, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below;    said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) halogen atoms, (xi) nitro groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xiv) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xxiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and groups of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         71 . A method of treating a warm-blooded animal in need thereof, to (i) lower blood glucose, (ii) reduce lipid levels, (iii) ameliorate insulin resistance, (iv) alleviate inflammatory diseases, (v) achieve immunoregulation, (vi) inhibit aldose reductase, (vii) inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, (viii) suppress generation of lipid peroxide, (ix) activate peroxysome proliferator activated receptor, or (x) alleviate osteoporosis, which method comprises administering to said warm-blooded animal an effective amount of an active ingredient, wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xvi) amino groups, (xvii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (xx) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (xxii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups having from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, when W represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, or  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below when W is selected from the group consisting of (i) amino groups, (ii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (v) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (vii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β, which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10 -membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;  
 said substituents β are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms;  
 a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof,  
 with the proviso that the amidocarboxylic acid derivative does not include compounds wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) pyridyl, (xiii) quinolyl, (xiv) amino groups, (xv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xvi) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,  
 X is a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents α′ defined below or a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below;  
 said substituents α′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β′ defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below and (xx) a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below;  
 said substituents β′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5  wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.  
 
 
     
     
         72 . A method of treating according to  claim 71 , wherein said warm blooded animal is a human.  
     
     
         73 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         74 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         75 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         76 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         77 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is an ethylene group.    
     
     
         78 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         79 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups.    
     
     
         80 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         81 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         82 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and methyl groups.    
     
     
         83 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         84 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         85 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a methylene group.    
     
     
         86 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which ma) have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         87 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl group in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         88 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         89 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (iv) phenylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is straight or branched chain and has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         90 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         91 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms.    
     
     
         92 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         93 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         94 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         95 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, indolyl, pyridyl and quinolyl groups, which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 11  defined below;    said substituents α 11  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  described below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         96 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups.    
     
     
         97 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of biphenylyl groups, each phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino group.    
     
     
         98 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         99 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         100 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (x) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         101 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         102 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  described below on the aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         103 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         104 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms;    X is a biphenylyl group, the substituents of each phenyl moiety may be the same or different and they are selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         105 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from l to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below and (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, phenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, 4-ethylphenoxy, 4-isopropylphenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, phenylthio, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below;    said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) halogen atoms, (xi) nitro groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xiv) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms (said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), (xv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), (xvi) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xxiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and groups of formula: >N—R 5  wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms    
     
     
         106 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises lowering blood glucose in said human.  
     
     
         107 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises lowering blood glucose in said human and said amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         108 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises lowering blood glucose in said human and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         109 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises lowering blood glucose in said human and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  described below on the aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         110 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises lowering blood glucose in said human and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         111 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises lowering blood glucose in said human and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms;    X is a biphenylyl group, the substituents of each phenyl moiety may be the same or different and they are selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         112 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises lowering blood glucose in said human and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents a defined below and (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, phenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, 4-ethylphenoxy, 4-isopropylphenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, phenylthio, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below;    said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) halogen atoms, (xi) nitro groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xiv) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms (said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), (xvi) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xxiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and groups of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         113 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises ameliorating insulin resistance.  
     
     
         114 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises alleviating an inflammatory disease.  
     
     
         115 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises achieving immunoregulation.  
     
     
         116 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises inhibiting aldose reductase.  
     
     
         117 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase.  
     
     
         118 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises suppressing generation of lipid peroxide.  
     
     
         119 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises activating peroxysome proliferator activated receptor.  
     
     
         120 . A method of treating according to  claim 72 , wherein said treating comprises alleviating osteoporosis.  
     
     
         121 . A method for the therapy or prevention of a disease in a warm-blooded animal selected from the group consisting of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin-resistant non-IGT, fatty liver, diabetic complications, arteriosclerosis, gestational diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, atherosclerosis, arthrosteitis, rheumatic arthritis, allergic diseases, asthma, cancer, autoimmune diseases, pancreatitis and cataracts, which method comprises administering to said warm-blooded animal a pharmacologically effective amount of an active ingredient, wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents a defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xvi) amino groups, (xvii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below. (xx) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (xxii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups having from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, when W represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the groups consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, or  
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below when W is selected from the group consisting of (i) amino groups, (ii) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) N-alkyl-N-arylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below, (v) arylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkylamino groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety and (vii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;  
 said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β, which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;  
 said substituents β are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups. (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms,  
 a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof,  
 with the proviso that the amidocarboxylic acid derivative does not include compounds wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety;  
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) hydroxyl groups and (xi) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;  
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 Z is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;  
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which include a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with an aryl moiety which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 5 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) pyridyl, (xiii) quinolyl, (xiv) amino groups, (xv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xvi) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,  
 X is a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents α′ defined below or a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α′ defined below;  
 said substituents α′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β′ defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or has 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below and (xx) a hetero aryl group selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, said hetero aryl group being unsubstituted or having from 1 to 3 substituents β′ defined below;  
 said substituents β′ are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which said alkyl moieties are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups which are the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and  
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a group of formula: >N—R 5  wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.  
 
 
     
     
         122 . A method for the therapy or prevention of a disease in a warm blooded animal according to  claim 121 , wherein said warm blooded animal is a human.  
     
     
         123 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         124 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         125 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         126 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         127 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 2  is an ethylene group.    
     
     
         128 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         129 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups.    
     
     
         130 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 3  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         131 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         132 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and methyl groups.    
     
     
         133 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 4  is a hydrogen atom.    
     
     
         134 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         135 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Z is a methylene group.    
     
     
         136 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         137 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl group in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         138 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         139 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (iv) phenylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 4  defined below on said phenyl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is straight or branched chain and has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         140 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups.    
     
     
         141 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 W is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms.    
     
     
         142 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atom, (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         143 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         144 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  described below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         145 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, indolyl, pyridyl and quinolyl groups, which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 11  defined below;    said substituents α 11  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  described below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 7  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         146 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms. benzyl groups, phenyl groups (said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups), phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups.    
     
     
         147 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 X is selected from the group consisting of biphenylyl groups, each phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms. and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino group.    
     
     
         148 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         149 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         150 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms rand (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         151 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents a defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to o 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         152 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  described below on the aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below and mono- or dicyclic 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         153 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups (said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups), phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups (said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups), pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         154 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms;    X is a biphenylyl group, the substituents of each phenyl moiety may be the same or different and they are selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino groups); and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         155 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below and (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, phenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, 4-ethylphenoxy, 4-isopropylphenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, phenylthio, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below;    said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) halogen atoms, (xi) nitro groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xiv) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms (said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), (xv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xxiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and groups of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         156 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is selected from the group consisting of diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin-resistant non-IGT, gestational diabetes mellitus and hyperlipemia.  
     
     
         157 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is diabetes mellitus.  
     
     
         158 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is diabetes mellitus and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups, the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         159 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is diabetes mellitus and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         160 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is diabetes mellitus and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  described below on the aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         161 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is diabetes mellitus and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups (said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups), pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups (said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups), phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         162 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is diabetes mellitus and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α ≢ are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms;    X is a biphenylyl group, the substituents of each phenyl moiety may be the same or different and they are selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups), a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups and phenylpyridyl groups (said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         163 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is diabetes mellitus and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below and (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, phenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, 4-ethylphenoxy, 4-isopropylphenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, phenylthio, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below;    said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) halogen atoms, (xi) nitro groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xiv) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xxiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and groups of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         164 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is hyperlipemia.  
     
     
         165 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is hyperlipemia and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, halogen atoms, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups and straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents as defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 1  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xiv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xv) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) nitro groups, (xiv) cyano groups, (xv) amino groups, (xvi) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aralkyl moiety has from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl groups may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xx) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxi) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1 , which may be the same or different, defined below, (xxii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxiv) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xxv) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xxvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xxix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 1  defined below on said hetero aryl moiety, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 1  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) amino groups, (xiv) straight or branched chain monoalkylamino groups in which said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) straight or branched chain aminoalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) monoalkylaminoalkyl groups in which said monoalkylamino moiety has one straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xix) straight or branched chain alkoxycarbonylamino groups in which said alkoxy moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xx) aralkyloxycarbonylamino groups in which said aryl moiety has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms and said alkyl moiety has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 7  defined below;    said substituents α 7  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (x) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) halogen atoms, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiv) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xv) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xvii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xviii) phenylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xix) phenylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said phenyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xx) furyl groups, (xxi) thienyl groups, (xxii) oxazolyl groups, (xxiii) isoxazolyl groups, (xxiv) thiazolyl groups, (xxv) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvi) pyridyloxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxvii) pyridylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxviii) pyridylsulfonyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below, (xxix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of the ring of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), (xxx) pyridylsulfonylamino groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 3  defined below on said pyridyl moiety (the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xxxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         166 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is hyperlipemia and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2 is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) hydroxyl groups, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below, (vi) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (viii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (ix) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (x) aralkylthio groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xi) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 2  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) halogen atoms, (x) nitro groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and which have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xiv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below on said aryl moiety, (xvi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xvii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below, (xviii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 2  defined below and (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 2  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) formyl groups, (viii) carboxyl groups, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each of said alkyl moieties may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (x) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 8  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents as defined below;    said substituents α 8  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xii) phenylthio groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xiii) furyl groups, (xiv) thienyl groups, (xv) oxazolyl groups, (xvi) isoxazolyl groups, (xvii) thiazolyl groups, (xviii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 4  defined below, (xix) imidazolyl groups (the nitrogen atom of said imidazolyl groups may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 4  are selected from the group consisting (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) halogen atoms, (ix) nitro groups, (x) formyl groups, (xi) cyano groups, (xii) carboxyl groups, (xiii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xiv) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         167 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is hyperlipemia and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and aralkyl groups having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms and nitro groups;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    Z is a methylene group;    W is selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  described below on the aryl moiety, (iv) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (v) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vi) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below on said aryl moiety, (vii) aryloxyalkyl groups in which said aryl moiety is an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 3  defined below and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (ix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents α 3  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α 9  defined below;    said substituents α 9  are selected from the group consisting of (i) hydroxyl groups, (ii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) phenyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vi) phenoxy groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below, (vii) pyridyl groups which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents β 5  defined below and (viii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom;    said substituents β 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) halogen atoms, (vii) nitro groups, (viii) formyl groups, (ix) carboxyl groups, (x) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and each has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and (xi) dialkylaminoalkyl groups in which said dialkylamino moiety has two straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be the same or different and said alkyl moiety is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         168 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is hyperlipemia and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 5  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 5  are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain halogenated alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from one or two carbon atoms, (vii) halogen atoms, (viii) cyano groups and (ix) pyridyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 12  defined below;    said substituents α 12  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, diethylamino and benzyl groups, phenyl groups, said phenyl groups may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, formyl, cyano, carboxyl, dimethylamino, diethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino, N-methylphenylsulfonylamino and pyridyl groups, said pyridyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups, pyridyloxy, pyridylthio, pyridylsulfonyl and piperidyl groups; or    X is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl groups which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 13  defined below;    said substituents α 13  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy and benzyloxy groups, alkylthio groups having one or two carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl groups having one or two carbon atoms, benzyl groups, phenyl groups (said phenyl groups may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups), phenoxy, phenylthio, phenylsufonyl, phenylsulfonylamino and N-methylphenylsulfonylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         169 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is hyperlipemia and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is a hydrogen atom;    R 2  is an ethylene group;    R 3  is a hydrogen atom;    R 4  is a hydrogen atom;    Z is a methylene group;    W is a phenoxy group which may have one substituent selected from substituents α 6  defined below on said phenyl moiety;    said substituents α 6  are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, and fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms;    X is a biphenylyl group, the substituents of each phenyl moiety may be the same or different and they are selected from the group consisting of methyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy and hydroxymethyl groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and formyl, carboxyl, nitro, dimethylamino and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl groups, a pyridylphenyl group, said pyridyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and trifluoromethoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms and nitro, dimethylamino and diethylamino groups and phenylpyridyl groups, said phenyl moiety may be substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and nitro and dimethylamino groups; and    Y is an oxygen atom.    
     
     
         170 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is hyperlipemia and said active ingredient is an amidocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof, wherein: 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 2  is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    R 3  is selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (iii) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iv) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (v) halogen atoms, (vi) nitro groups, (vii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (viii) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below and (ix) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents α defined below on said aryl moiety;    R 4  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;    Z is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;    W is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, phenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, 4-ethylphenoxy, 4-isopropylphenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, phenylthio, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl groups;    X is selected from the group consisting of aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below and mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom which may have from 1 to 3 substituents selected from substituents α defined below;    said substituents α are selected from the group consisting of (i) straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (ii) straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (iii) hydroxyl groups, (iv) straight or branched chain aliphatic acyloxy groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (v) straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vi) straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (vii) aralkyloxy groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (viii) straight or branched chain alkylthio groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (ix) straight or branched chain alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (x) halogen atoms, (xi) nitro groups, (xii) straight or branched chain dialkylamino groups in which each alkyl group may be the same or different and have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xiii) aralkyl groups having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, (xiv) aryl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms (said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xv) aryloxy groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvi) arylthio groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xvii) arylsulfonyl groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, (xviii) arylsulfonylamino groups having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, said aryl moiety may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain halogenated alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkoxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms and straight or branched chain alkylenedioxy groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (xix) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xx) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero aryloxy groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxi) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylthio groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, (xxii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonyl groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and (xxiii) mono- or dicyclic, 5- to 10-membered hetero arylsulfonylamino groups containing from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, the nitrogen atom of said amino moiety may be substituted with a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and    Y is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and groups of formula: >N—R 5 , wherein R 5  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, straight or branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain aliphatic acyl groups having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and aromatic acyl groups having from 7 to 11 carbon atoms.    
     
     
         171 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is obesity.  
     
     
         172 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is impaired glucose tolerance.  
     
     
         173 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is insulin-resistant non-IGT.  
     
     
         174 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is fatty liver.  
     
     
         175 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is a diabetic complication.  
     
     
         176 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is arteriosclerosis.  
     
     
         177 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is gestational diabetes mellitus.  
     
     
         178 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is polycystic ovary syndrome.  
     
     
         179 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         180 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is arthrosteitis.  
     
     
         181 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is rheumatic arthritis.  
     
     
         182 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is an allergic disease.  
     
     
         183 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is asthma.  
     
     
         184 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is cancer.  
     
     
         185 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is an autoimmune disease.  
     
     
         186 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is pancreatitis.  
     
     
         187 . A method for therapy or prevention according to  claim 122 , wherein said disease is cataracts.