Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Measuring Relative Insulin Secretion using a Co-Secreted Luciferase Surrogate
Published on: June 25, 2019
Glargine versus NPH insulin in cystic fibrosis related diabetes
Patricia Grover1, William Thomas, Antoinette Moran
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States.
Background:
Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) with fasting hyperglycemia is found in 15% of adult and 11% of adolescent CF patients. Because of concerns about hypoglycemia, it is not common practice to treat CFRD with 24-hour basal insulin therapy, despite evidence that insulin deficiency may contribute to protein catabolism and have an adverse effect on weight, muscle mass, pulmonary function, and, ultimately, survival. We hypothesized that insulin glargine would improve blood glucose control and weight in patients with CFRD without causing hypoglycemia.
Methods:
A randomized cross-over study compared 12 weeks each of bedtime NPH or glargine in 19 CFRD patients.
Results:
There was significantly greater reduction in fasting plasma glucose with glargine (P=0.03), and participants showed a non-significant trend towards weight gain with this insulin (P=0.07). No serious hypoglycemia occurred. At study end, all patients chose to continue glargine.
Conclusions:
A study of longer duration is needed to determine whether insulin glargine impacts protein catabolism and overall clinical status in CF patients, but these initial data suggest that this is a promising therapy in CFRD.
Related Concept Videos
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
Short-acting insulins are divided into rapid-acting...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
