In alternative embodiments, provided are methods for treating, ameliorating or protecting (preventing) congestive heart failure (CHF) or a diabetes-related cardiac dysfunction, comprising: providing a urocortin 2-encoding and/or a urocortin 3-encoding nucleic acid, transcript or message, or gene, operatively linked to a transcriptional regulatory sequence, optionally contained in an expression vehicle or a vector such as an adeno-associated virus (AAV), e.g., an AAV8 serotype and administering to an individual or a patient in need thereof, such as a type 2 diabetic (T2DM), e.g., by IV administration, thereby treating, ameliorating or protecting against (preventing) the T2DM and/or the diabetes-related cardiac dysfunction in the individual or patient.
