Prevention of diabetes by administration of GnRH antagonists

Abstract

A method for reducing the incidence or delaying the onset of diabetes in diabetes-susceptible mammals (e.g., mice, rats, humans) is provided wherein the mammals are treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. Preferably, the antagonist is administered repeatedly over time by subcutaneous injection. A useful antagonist is Acetyl-β-[2-Naphthyl]-D-Ala-D-p-Chloro-Phe-β-[3-Pyridyl]-D-Ala-Ser-Nε-[Nicotinoyl]-Lys-Nε-[Nicotinoyl]-D-Lys-Leu-Nε-[Isopropyl]-Lys-Pro-D-Ala-NH 2 . Other useful antagonists are Nal-Glu, PPI-149 and acryline.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of reducing the incidence or delaying the onset of diabetes in a diabetes-susceptible mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal an effective amount of a gonadatropin-releasing hormone antagonist.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of administering said antagonist by subcutaneous injection.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of repeatedly administering said antagonist over a period of time.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , said antagonist selected from the group consisting of Acetyl-β-[2-Naphthyl]-D-Ala-D-p-Chloro-Phe-β-[3-Pyridyl]-D-Ala-Ser-Nε-[Nicotinoyl]-Lys-Nε-[Nicotinoyl]-D-Lys-Leu-Nε-[Isopropyl]-Lys-Pro-D-Ala-NH 2 ,Glu-Nal and acetyl-D2Nal-D4CIPhe-D3Pal-Ser-Aph(Ac)-D-Aph(Ac)-Leu-Lys(lpr)-Pro-D-Ala-NH2.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , said mammal being a mouse.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said diabetes is type IA autoimmune diabetes.