Combinations of vanadium with antidiabetics for glucose metabolism disorders

Abstract

Compositions and methods of using the same for the treatment of diabetes and other disorders of glucose metabolism are provided. Compositions may include an anti-diabetic agent and one or more of a bioavailable source of chromium and vanadium.

1 - 96 . (canceled)  
   
   
       97 . A composition comprising synergistic effective amounts of an anti-diabetic agent other than insulin and a bioavailable source of vanadium, wherein said anti-diabetic agent is metformin, and wherein components of said composition synergistically reduce the HbA1c levels of a patient by at least about 10% after treatment for a period of at least about thirty days with said composition as compared to treatment with said anti-diabetic agent alone.  
   
   
       98 . The composition of  claim 97 , wherein said reduction in said Hb1Ac level is at least about 50%.  
   
   
       99 . The composition of  claim 97 , wherein said bioavailable source of vanadium is vanadyl sulfate.  
   
   
       100 . The composition of  claim 99 , wherein the amount of vanadyl sulfate is in the range of about 20 mg up to about 100 mg per dose.  
   
   
       101 . The composition of  claim 97 , wherein said bioavailable source of vanadium comprises more than about 10 mg elemental vanadium.  
   
   
       102 . The composition of  claim 97 , wherein said amount of said bioavailable source of vanadium comprises no less than 5 mg of elemental vanadium.  
   
   
       103 . A method for improving glucose metabolism, comprising treating a patient for at least about a thirty day period by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising synergistic effective amounts of an anti-diabetic agent other than insulin and a bioavailable source of vanadium, wherein said anti-diabetic agent is metformin, and wherein said components of said composition synergistically reduce the HbA1c level of said patient by at least about 10% after such treatment as compared to treatment with said anti-diabetic agent alone.  
   
   
       104 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein said bioavailable source of vanadium comprises at least about 10 mg elemental vanadium when said composition is administered on a daily basis.  
   
   
       105 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein said bioavailable source of vanadium is vanadyl sulfate.  
   
   
       106 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein said amount of said bioavailable source of vanadium comprises no less than 5 mg of elemental vanadium when said composition is administered on a daily basis.  
   
   
       107 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises a physiologically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       108 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein said method further comprises monitoring said subject's HbA1c levels.  
   
   
       109 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein said reduction in said Hb1Ac level is at least about 50%.