The present invention relates to methods for the treatment and repair ofcartilage, including cartilage damaged by injury or cartilagenous disorders,including arthritis, comprising the administration of insulin and/or insulinvariants. Optionally, the administration may be in combination with acartilage agent (e.g., peptide growth factor, catabolism antagonist, osteo-,synovial, anti-inflammatory factor), in an extended- or sustained-releaseform. Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair ofcartilage damaged by injury or cartilagenous disorders comprising theadministration of insulin and/or insulin in combination with standard surgicaltechniques. Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair ofcartilage damaged by injury or cartilagenous disorders comprising theadministration of chondrocytes previously treated with an effective amount ofinsulin and/or insulin variant.
