Correction of impaired glucose tolerance using tetrapeptide (Pancragen) in old female rhesus monkeys

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of pancragen in correcting age-associated metabolic disorders in a non-human primate model. Aged female rhesus monkeys with impaired glucose tolerance received treatment with the tetrapeptide pancragen (Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp) and were evaluated for metabolic parameters.

The results demonstrated that pancragen normalized insulin and C-peptide levels in the aged monkeys, indicating restoration of pancreatic beta cell function. C-peptide is a direct marker of endogenous insulin secretion, and its normalization suggests a real improvement in pancreatic secretory capacity, not merely a change in peripheral sensitivity.

The findings are particularly significant for several reasons:

• The non-human primate model offers superior translatability compared to rodent studies
• Impaired glucose tolerance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes
• The restorative effect suggests partial reversal of age-associated pancreatic decline

The proposed mechanism involves the restoration of peptidergic signaling in the islets of Langerhans, with regulation of gene expression involved in insulin synthesis and secretion. This study reinforces the concept of peptide bioregulation developed by Khavinson's group, demonstrating that small peptides can influence the function of specific organs in a physiological manner, with potential application in the prevention of age-related type 2 diabetes.