USE OF GLP-1 AND AGONISTS THEREOF TO PREVENT CARDIAC MYOCYTE APOPTOSIS
The present invention relates generally to the novel use of GLP-1, including analogs, and agonists, to prevent cardiac myocyte apoptosis. The present invention relates to methods for using GLP-1 for the treatment of conditions associated with cardiac myocyte apoptosis. The present invention further relates to improving the efficiency of cardiac myocytes and also to improving cardiac contractility.
1 . A method for preventing or ameliorating apoptosis of cardiac myocytes in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject an amount of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) molecule or agonist thereof effective to prevent apoptosis of cardiac myocytes.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said subject has congestive heart failure.
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said subject has experienced or is experiencing myocardial infarction.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said subject has received a heart transplant.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule or agonist thereof is acutely administered to said subject.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule or agonist thereof is chronically administered to said subject.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule is GLP-1.
8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule is a GLP-1 analog with GLP-1 activity.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule agonist is an exendin.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein said exendin is an exendin-4 analog.
11 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein said exendin is exendin-4.
12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule or agonist thereof is parenterally administered to said subject.
13 . A method for the treatment or prevention of a condition associated with cardiac myocyte apoptosis in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject an amount of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) molecule or agonist thereof effective to prevent cardiac myocyte apoptosis, wherein said condition associated with cardiac myocyte apoptosis is thereby improved.
14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said a GLP-1 molecule or agonist thereof is chronically administered to said subject.
15 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule or agonist thereof is acutely administered to said subject.
16 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule is GLP-1.
17 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule is a GLP-1 analog with GLP-1 activity.
18 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule agonist is an exendin.
19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein said exendin is an exendin-4 analog.
20 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein said exendin is exendin-4.
21 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said subject has diabetes.
22 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said subject has hypertension.
23 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said subject has congestive heart failure.
24 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said subject has received a heart transplant.
25 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said GLP-1 molecule or agonist thereof is parenterally administered to said subject.
26 . A method for improving the efficiency of cardiac myocytes in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject an amount of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) molecule or agonist thereof to improve the efficiency of cardiac myocytes.