Insulin resistance improving agent

Abstract

The invention provides an insulin resistance improving agent and a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, which contain a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene for the domain or adiponectin. The invention also provides a method for improving insulin resistance and treating type 2 diabetes by administering the aforementioned agent(s).

1 . A method for treating insulin resistance in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of an agent containing a gene encoding a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin consisting of amino acid residues 111 to 242 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 114 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said agent further comprises a pharmacologically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said pharmacologically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of distilled water, a solubilizer, a stabilizer, an emulsifier, and a buffer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is by injection. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount ranges from 0.1 μg/day to 10 mg/day based on the amount of adiponectin. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin consists of amino acid residues 111 to 242 of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin consists of amino acid residues 114 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating type 2 diabetes in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes containing a gene encoding a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin consisting of amino acid residues 111 to 242 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 114 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said agent further comprises a pharmacologically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said pharmacologically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of distilled water, a solubilizer, a stabilizer, an emulsifier, and a buffer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said administering is by injection. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said effective amount ranges from 0.1 μg/day to 10 mg/day. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin consists of amino acid residues 111 to 242 of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin consists of amino acid residues 114 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 2.