Effects of Fully Synthetic Human Insulin in Comparison to Porcine Insulin in Normal Subjects

Abstract

Fully synthetic human insulin (CGP 12'831) was compared to porcine insulin in identical and non-identical formula by intravenous insulin tolerance tests in 12 volunteers. The half-lives of the three insulins tested did not differ (t 1/2: 5.5 +/- 0.2 minutes), though acid porcine insulin exhibited lower serum peak values. The hypoglycemic effects of the three insulins were identical. Human insulin produced a significantly smaller decrease in serum potassium (2p less than 0.01). The secretion of serum C-peptide was less inhibited by human insulin (2p less than 0.05). The counter-regulatory hormonal response of cortisol and growth hormone was lower after hypoglycemia induced by human insulin (2p less than 0.05). It is suggested that the hormonal effects of hypoglycemia are modified by insulin and depend in part on the molecular structure of insulin.

Hypoglycaemia and associated hypokalaemia in diabetes: mechanisms, clinical implications and prevention

“…Schluter et al [18] have shown that an intravenous insulin bolus produced an immediate fall in plasma potassium which remained low following the glucoase nadir and while insulin concentrations were falling. Schluter et al [18] have shown that an intravenous insulin bolus produced an immediate fall in plasma potassium which remained low following the glucoase nadir and while insulin concentrations were falling.…”

“…There are convincing data that insulin-induced hypoglycaemia leads to a fall in potassium through the mechanisms outlined above. Schluter et al [18] have shown that an intravenous insulin bolus produced an immediate fall in plasma potassium which remained low following the glucoase nadir and while insulin concentrations were falling. Thus the effect could not entirely be attributed to insulin.…”

Less Pronounced Changes in Serum Potassium and Epinephrine During Hypoglycemia Induced by Human Insulin (recombinant DNA)

“…The effect of an intravenous bolus of insulin on plasma glucose is shorter than the effect on serum potassium. 1 Following an intravenous bolus of insulin, the nadir of glucose is reached after 20 min, while serum potassium continues to decline for a further 25 min. '…”