[Hypoglycemic effects of equimolar quantities of semisynthetic human and porcine insulin in insulin-dependent diabetic patients].

In some diabetic patients, transition from porcine insulin (PI) to human insulin (HI) has resulted in alterations or non-appearance of the usual hypoglycaemic symptoms. The authors have, therefore, undertaken a double-blind cross-over trial with induction of hypoglycaemia with semisynthetic HI and PI administered in equimolar quantities to eight insulin-dependent men. Prior to induction of hypoglycaemia, the blood glucose (BG) was stabilized at approximately 6 mmol/l. At the time 0, the BG was 5.9 (5.4-7.1) mmol/l and 6.2 (4.8-7.1) mmol/l (NS), BS-nadir was 2.1 (1.3-2.9) mmol/l and 2.1 (1.3-2.8) mmol/l PI versus HI. At the time -15 minutes and at BG-nadir, assessment of symptoms and neuropsychological testing were performed. The total symptom scorings were identical for the two types of insulin, the maximum intraindividual difference was +1 on a scale from 0 to 3. Cognitive function was reduced significantly in hypoglycaemia with no differences for the types of insulin. The conclusion is that, in insulin-dependent diabetic patients, no differences in hypoglycaemic effects were observed between PI and HI after intravenous administration of equimolar quantities.