Methods to restore glycemic control

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and compositions to achieve a sustained delay in the progression of, or an amelioration of diabetes in a subject, or a delay in diabetes onset in a subject at risk for diabetes, comprising an abbreviated course of administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an exendin or an exendin agonist analog in an amount effective to induce β cell regeneration.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method to achieve sustained normoglycemia in a human with diabetes, comprising administering to a human a pharmaceutical composition comprising an exendin or exendin agonist analog for a period of time and in an amount effective to achieve normoglycemia in said human, and then ceasing said administering for at least one week, whereby normoglycemia is sustained for said at least one week, wherein the exendin or exendin agonist analog comprises a sequence having greater than 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1, 2, 3, or 12. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence has greater than 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1, 2, 3, or 12. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exendin or exendin agonist analog is conjugated to polyethylene glycol, albumin, gelatin, or a fatty acid chain. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exendin or exendin agonist analog is conjugated to a polyamino acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the polyamino acid is poly-His, poly-Arg, poly-Lys, or poly-Ala.