Method for treating non-insulin dependent diabetes using thiazolidinediones with glucagonlike peptide-1 and agonists thereof

Abstract

Thiazolidinedione (TZD) and its pharmacologically active derivatives can be used in combination with agonists of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), to treat non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, optionally with other therapies, by improving glycemic control while minimizing side effects, such as heart hypertrophy and elevated fed-state plasma glucose, which are associated with both TZD and GLP-1 monotherapies. Thus, the co-administration of TZD and GLP-1 helps regulate glucose homeostasis in Type II diabetic patients.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60 / 139,794 filed Jun. 21, 1999.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a combination of a thiazolidinedione (TZD), with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or a GLP-1 agonist, which combination possesses desirable hormonal activity and can be used to regulate glucose homeostasis in patients suffering from non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type II diabetes).[0003]Insulin resistance is a classic feature of many human disease conditions, such as Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM), obesity, hypertension, aging, etc. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, characterized by hyperglycemia and glycosuria resulting from inadequate production or utilization of insulin. NIDDM is a form of diabetes where utilization of insulin is inadequate. It occurs predominantly in adults, in whom adequate production of insulin is available for use, yet a defect exists in insulin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]In accomplishing these and other objectives, there has been provided, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a therapeutic method comprised of co-administering a pharmacologically effective dose of an insulin secretion-potentiating agent, such as an incretin hormone, and a thiazolidinedione, such that blood glucose levels are decreased and insulin secretion is increased. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes co-administration of an effective dosage of a thiazolidinedione, such as troglitazone, and a glucagon-like peptide-1 or a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, as an insulin secretion-potentiating agent.

[0018]Thiazolidinediones can be used, in combination with agonists of glucagon-like peptide-1, to treat non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, optionally with other therapies, by improving glycemic control while minimizing side effects, such as heart hypertrophy, tissue damage and elevated fed-state plasma glucose, which are associated with TZD and GLP-1 monotherapies.

[0022]The present invention also includes a method of treating non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, comprising co-administering an effective dosage of (a) a thiazolidinedione and (b) a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, such that blood glucose levels are decreased and insulin secretion is increased.

Problems solved by technology

It occurs predominantly in adults, in whom adequate production of insulin is available for use, yet a defect exists in insulin-mediated utilization and metabolism of glucose and peripheral tissues.

For some people with diabetes, a mutation in the gene(s) coding for insulin, for insulin receptor and / or for insulin-mediated signal transduction factor(s) leads to ineffective insulin and / or insulin-mediated effects, impairing the utilization or metabolism of glucose.

Additionally, determining the optimal dose of TZD for increasing insulin sensitivity has been a difficult undertaking.

There is an additional dilemma that, even at the optimum dose, TZD monotherapy causes heart hypertrophy in animal models.

This side effect renders TZD monotherapy an undesirable prophylactic measure in the treatment of Type II diabetes mellitus.

This may result in less coronary vasodilation, more tissue damage and more reperfusion arrhythmias.