Pharmacological treatment of chronic diabetes by stimulating pancreatic beta-cell regeneration with systemic co-administration of EGF and gastrin.

Transgenic expression of gastrin and EGF receptor ligands stimulates islet neogenesis in adult mice, significantly increasing islet mass. The present study aimed to determine whether pharmacological treatment with gastrin and EGF can significantly stimulate beta-cell regeneration in chronic, severe insulin-dependent diabetes. Diabetes was induced by intravenous streptozotocin, resulting in >95% beta cell destruction.