Abstract: A process for obtaining a material possessing glucose tolerance factor activity and capable of binding with insulin including the steps of (i) contacting a eukaryotic cell mass with a mixture of water and alcohol to form a water phase and an alcohol phase; (ii) separating the alcohol phase from the water phase and isolating a water phase extract; and (iii) subjecting the water phase extract to gel exclusion chromatography, eluting all material having a molecular weight of approximately 720 to 1120 to obtain a material possessing glucose tolerance factor activity and capable of binding with insulin.

Abstract: A process for purifying dithiochrome from a natural source is disclosed. The process comprises: (i) contacting a eukaryotic cell mass with a mixture of water and an alcohol; (ii) separating the alcohol phase from the water phase and obtaining a water phase extract; (iii) subjecting the water phase extract to a sulfhydryl exchange chromatography matrix; (iv) washing said chromatography matrix; and (v) treating said chromatrography matrix with an active thiol to obtain dithiochromate; a material capable of binding with insulin. Dithiochromate may be used to treat patients suffering from elevated blood glucose or suboptimal glucose kinetics. An adduct of this compound with insulin may be used to treat patients for type I diabetes.