Semisynthetic human insulin: biological and pharmacokinetic effects in normal subjects

The assessment of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of semisynthetic human insulin produced by enzymatic conversion was done in normal subjects, and compared to those of highly purified pork insulin. Ten healthy volunteers were submitted to an intravenous injection of 0.06 U/kg of regular insulin, semisynthetic (Actrapid HM) and monocomponent pork insulin (Actrapid MC) in succession. No significant differences were pointed out as far as the pharmacokinetic parameters, immunoreactivity and hypoglycemic effect of both types of insulin are concerned. Only a stronger inhibition of endogenous insulin secretion, expressed by a significantly lower plasma-C-peptide levels, was observed after PPI. Stimulation of glucagon secretion was similar with both types of insulin.