Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
Inhaled Technosphere insulin in comparison to subcutaneous regular human insulin: time action profile and variability
Klaus Rave1, Tim Heise, Lutz Heinemann
1Profil Institute for Metabolic Research, Neuss, Germany. klaus.rave@profl-research.de
Background:
This study assessed time action profile and within- and between-subject variability of inhaled Technosphere Insulin (TI) compared with subcutaneous regular human insulin (sc RHI).
Methods:
Thirteen subjects with type 2 diabetes (age 56 +/- 7 years, body mass index 30.4 +/- 3.0 kg.m(-2); hemoglobin A1c 6.9 +/- 0.9%; mean +/- SD) participated in this six-period crossover isoglycemic glucose clamp study. In randomized order, each subject received three single doses of TI and sc RHI on separate study days.
Results:
Inhalation of TI resulted in a higher maximum serum insulin concentration (858 vs 438 pmol.liter(-1); p = 0.0001) and shorter intervals to maximum insulin concentration (17 vs 135 minutes; p = 0.0001) than sc RHI. Overall, 48 units of TI and 24 units of sc RHI provided comparable 3-hour insulin exposure (INS area under the curve(0-3 h) 55.8 vs 60.0 nmol.min.liter(-1), respectively). Time to maximum metabolic effect was shorter (79 vs 293 minutes; p < 0.0001), and percentage of glucose disposal during the first 3 hours was higher for TI compared with sc RHI (59 vs 27%). Within-subject variabilities of insulin exposure following inhalation of TI for 2 and 3 hours and end of study period were 19, 18, and 16% as compared with 27, 25, and 15% after sc RHI injection (p = not significant).
Conclusion:
Technosphere Insulin has a more rapid onset of action than sc RHI. About 60% of the glucose-lowering effect of TI occurs during the first 3 hours after application. In contrast, <30% of the glucose-lowering effect of sc RHI occurs in this period. Technosphere Insulin demonstrated a lower intrasubject variability during the 3-hour postprandial period, without reaching statistical significance.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
