Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and glucose counterregulation following subcutaneous injection of the monomeric insulin analogue [Lys(B28),Pro(B29)] in IDDM

Abstract

The aim of these studies was to compare the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, counterregulatory hormone and symptom responses, as well as cognitive function during hypoglycaemia induced by s. c. injection of 0.15 IU/kg of regular human insulin (HI) and the monomeric insulin analogue [Lys(B28),Pro (B29)] (MI) in insulin-dependent-diabetic (IDDM) subjects. In these studies glucose was infused whenever needed to prevent decreases in plasma glucose below 3 mmol/l. After MI, plasma insulin increased earlier to a peak (60 vs 90 min) which was greater than after HI (294±24 vs 255±24 pmol/l), and plasma glucose decreased earlier to a 3 mmol/l plateau (60 vs 120 min) (p<0.05). The amount of glucose infused to prevent plasma glucose falling below 3 mmol/l was ∼three times greater after MI than HI (293±26 vs 90±25 μmol · kg-1 · 60-375 min-1, p<0.05). After MI, hepatic glucose production was more suppressed (0.7±1 vs 5.9±0.54 μmol · kg-1 · min-1) and glucose utilization was less suppressed than after HI (11.6±0.65 vs 9.1±0.11μmol · kg-1 · min-1) (p<0.05). Similarly, plasma NEFA, glycerol, and β-OH-butyrate were more suppressed after MI than HI (p<0.05), whereas plasma lactate increased only after MI, but not after HI. Responses of counterregulatory hormones, symptoms and deterioration in cognitive function during plasma glucose plateau of 3 mmol/l were superimposable after MI and HI (p=NS). Post-hypoglycaemia hyperglycaemia was greater after MI than HI (at 480 min 12.1±1 vs 11±1 mmol/l) because of greater hepatic glucose production during insulin waning which occurred at least 135 min earlier with MI as compared to HI (p<0.05). It is concluded that counterregulatory hormones, symptoms and deterioration in cognitive function during hypoglycaemia respond similarly after MI and HI. The biological effect of MI appears greater than that of HI for at least 4 h after the s.c. injection and appears as a good candidate for achieving optimal post-prandial glucose control in IDDM. © 1994 Springer-Verlag.