Use of Vinca Alkaloids and Salts Thereof

Abstract

An agent containing a vinca alkaloid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient can induce insulin production and/or secretion of non-neoplastic cells derived from the pancreas.

1 . An agent for increasing insulin-producing ability of a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas, comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient.  
   
   
       2 . The agent for increasing insulin-producing ability of a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas of  claim 1 , further comprising nicotinamide.  
   
   
       3 . The agent for increasing insulin-producing ability of a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas of  claim 1 , further comprising nicotinamide and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).  
   
   
       4 . An agent for increasing insulin-secreting ability of a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas, comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt and nicotinamide as active ingredients.  
   
   
       5 . An agent for increasing insulin-secreting ability of a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas, comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt, nicotinamide, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as active ingredients.  
   
   
       6 . A preventive agent and/or a therapeutic agent for a disease associated with lack of insulin, comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient.  
   
   
       7 . The preventive and/or the therapeutic agent for a disease associated with lack of insulin of  claim 6 , wherein the disease associated with lack of insulin is selected from the group consisting of diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and a complication resulting from these diseases.  
   
   
       8 . The preventive agent and/or the therapeutic agent for a disease associated with lack of insulin of  claim 6 , further comprising nicotinamide.  
   
   
       9 . The preventive agent and/or the therapeutic agent for a disease associated with lack of insulin of  claim 6 , further comprising nicotinamide and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).  
   
   
       10 . A blood glucose level-lowering agent comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient.  
   
   
       11 . The blood glucose level-lowering agent of  claim 10 , further comprising nicotinamide.  
   
   
       12 . The blood glucose level-lowering agent of  claim 10 , further comprising nicotinamide and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).  
   
   
       13 . An agent for inducing differentiation from a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas into an insulin-producing cell, comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient.  
   
   
       14 . The agent for inducing differentiation of  claim 13 , further comprising nicotinamide.  
   
   
       15 . The agent for inducing differentiation of  claim 13 , further comprising nicotinamide and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).  
   
   
       16 . An agent for inducing differentiation from a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas into an insulin-secreting cell, comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt and nicotinamide as active ingredients.  
   
   
       17 . An agent for inducing differentiation from a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas into an insulin-secreting cell, comprising conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt, nicotinamide, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as active ingredients.  
   
   
       18 . An agent for promoting induction of differentiation from a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas into an insulin-secreting cell, consisting of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt.  
   
   
       19 . A method for inducing differentiation from a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas into an insulin-producing cell, wherein conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt is added when the non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas is cultured.  
   
   
       20 . A method for inducing differentiation from a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas into an insulin-secreting cell, wherein conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt and nicotinamide are added when the non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas is cultured.  
   
   
       21 . A method for inducing differentiation from a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas into a insulin-secreting cell, wherein conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt, nicotinamide, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are added when the non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas is cultured.  
   
   
       22 . A method for increasing insulin-producing ability of a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas, wherein conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt is added when the non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas is cultured.  
   
   
       23 . A method for increasing insulin-secreting ability of a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas, wherein conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt is added when the non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas is cultured.  
   
   
       24 . A method for producing an insulin-producing cell, comprising culturing a non-neoplastic cells derived from the pancreas in the presence of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt.  
   
   
       25 . A method for producing an insulin-secreting cell, comprising culturing a non-neoplastic cells derived from the pancreas in the presence of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt and nicotinamide.  
   
   
       26 . A method for producing an insulin-secreting cell, comprising culturing a non-neoplastic cells derived from the pancreas in the presence of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt, nicotinamide, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).  
   
   
       27 . A method for producing insulin, comprising: culturing a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas in the presence of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt and nicotinamide; and isolating and purifying insulin from the cultured cell or a medium.  
   
   
       28 . A method for producing insulin, comprising: culturing a non-neoplastic cells derived from the pancreas in the presence of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt, nicotinamide, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); and isolating and purifying insulin from the cultured cell or a medium.  
   
   
       29 . An insulin-producing cell that has been induced to differentiate by the method of  claim 19 .  
   
   
       30 . An insulin-secreting cell that has been induced to differentiate by the method of  claim 20  or  21 .  
   
   
       31 . A pancreas-derived non-neoplastic cell whose insulin-producing ability has been increased by the method of  claim 22 .  
   
   
       32 . A pancreas-derived non-neoplastic cell whose insulin-secreting ability has been increased by the method of  claim 23 .  
   
   
       33 . A preventive and/or a therapeutic method for a disease associated with lack of insulin, comprising using conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt.  
   
   
       34 . A preventive and/or a therapeutic method for a disease associated with lack of insulin, comprising: culturing a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas in the presence of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt and nicotinamide; and using the cultured non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas.  
   
   
       35 . A preventive and/or a therapeutic method for a disease associated with lack of insulin, comprising: culturing a non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas in the presence of conophylline or its pharmacologically acceptable salt, nicotinamide, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); and using the cultured non-neoplastic cell derived from the pancreas.