Comparison of the Activity Profiles of Two Fixed Combinations of Regular/NPH Human Insulin (recombinant DNA) of Different Compositions with a Fixed Regular/NPH Porcine Insulin Combination (PPI) in Insulin-dependent Diabetic Individuals

Abstract

In a randomized double-blind crossover study, 10 insulin-dependent diabetic individuals were treated with a commercial brand of neutral, highly purified porcine insulin (PPI) with 30% regular and 70% NPH fractions (Mixtard, Nordisk, Denmark), and with human insulins (recombinant DNA) with 20% regular and 80% NPH fractions, and with 30% regular and 70% NPH fractions. Each of the preparations was given for 4 consecutive days. The human insulin combination with the 20% regular and 80% NPH components showed a similar activity profile as the PPI 30/70 combination. In contrast, the human insulin combination with the 30% regular and 70% NPH fractions produced substantially lower blood sugar concentrations with the associated risk of hypoglycemia.