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

Summary

Fully synthetic human insulin (CGP 12′831) was compared to porcine insulin in identical and non-identical formulation 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 < 0.01). The secretion of serum C-peptide was less inhibited by human insulin (2p < 0.05). The counter-regulatory hormonal response of cortisol and growth hormone was lower after hypoglycemia induced by human insulin (2p < 0.05).

It is suggested that the hormonal effects of hypoglycemia are modified by human insulin and depend in part on the molecular structure of insulin.

Key-Words:

Synthetic Human Insulin - Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia - Growth Hormone - C-Peptide - Cortisol - Counter-Regulatory Hormones