Insulin-transferrin fusion protein and its prodrug, proinsulin-transferrin, for overcoming insulin resistance
A method of treating Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is provided. The method includes administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that includes an insulin-transferrin fusion protein or its prodrug, proinsulin-transferrin fusion protein.
1. A method of treating insulin resistance in a subject having insulin resistance comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion protein encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising a pre-proinsulin nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a transferrin (Tf) sequence and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby treating the insulin resistance.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insulin resistance is associated with a disease selected from the group consisting of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Type 2 diabetes.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject's blood glucose level is at a level of a non-diabetic subject after treatment.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein administration is in single-dosage form.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein blood glucose levels are reduced within about 4-8 hours of administration.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral, parenteral, topical or rectal administration.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a liposome, a nanoparticle, a saline solution, water, a solvent, a buffer or another diluent.