Methods for treating diabetes

Abstract

Methods for treating diabetes by administering an inhibitor of GDF-8, or a related member of Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily of structurally-related growth factors (e.g., GDF-11) are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for upregulating expression of hexose transporters, such as GLUT4 and GLUT 1, in a subject by administering an inhibitor of GDF-8. Also disclosed are methods for increasing glucose uptake by cells in a subject, by administering an inhibitor of GDF-8.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a subject suffering from a cell proliferative disorder comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a GDF-8 inhibitor, wherein the GDF-8 inhibitor is an antibody. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the GDF-8 inhibitor is a receptor antibody. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is cancer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is cachexia. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is sarcopenia. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is sporadic inclusion body myositis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is muscular dystrophy. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating a subject suffering from muscle atrophy after elective hip replacement comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a GDF-8 inhibitor, wherein the GDF-8 inhibitor is a receptor antibody. 
     
     
         21 . A method of increasing expression of GLUT4, in a subject suffering from a condition selected from the group comprising obesity and hyperglycemia, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a GDF-8 inhibitor, wherein the GDF-8 inhibitor is a purified pro-domain of the GDF-8 protein.