Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of 12 to 50 amino acids in length which incorporate the amino acid sequence MDNRRAK for use in the treatment of obesity, type-2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: One of the major pathophysiological consequences of long term elevation of plasma glucose in diabetes is an increase in the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins. Contrary to expectations the present inventors have determined that individuals with well controlled short duration diabetes have particularly high concentrations of glycated insulin which decrease with increased disease severity and duration of diabetes. Further, a small proportion of apparently normal healthy individuals exhibit high glycated insulin levels in line with expected incidence of diabetes in the population. Methods of predicting the onset of diabetes and for monitoring the progression of diabetes by measuring the concentration of Glycated Insulin and the progression of diabetes are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides insulin secreting human pancreatic cell lines and a process for their production from the electrofusion of normal human islet cells with immortal human cell lines to generate hybrid fusion cells which are able to produce insulin. The invention also provides uses for cell-lines.