Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for protecting against atrophy of pancreatic islets in a mammal with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes or diabetes are disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mammal a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having a chemical structure of formula (I) in an effective amount and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier:wherein R is H or COCH2COOH m=3 or 4 n=0 or 1 o=2 and p=1 or 2.本發明提供一種醫藥組合物及方法,其係用於保護患有代謝症候群、潛在性糖尿病或糖尿病之哺乳動物的胰島組織免於萎縮。該方法包含施予該哺乳動物一醫藥組合物,該醫藥組合物包含一有效量之具有下列結構式(I)的化合物及一醫藥可接受之載劑:其中,R是H或COCH2COOH;m=3或4;n=0或1;o=2;及p=1或2。
