Diurnal pattern of insulin requirements in insulin-dependent diabetics

A total of 35 experiments in which insulin-dependent diabetics were connected to an artificial beta cell (Biostator) for feedback control of blood glucose during at least 24 h, were evaluated. Only 14 experiments, however, were available for analysis, since interruptions of more than 45 min/24 h in feedback control due to clots in analyser tubing occurred in those remaining. In these 14 experiments the 24-h insulin-infusion pattern was analysed. Basal insulin requirements (BIR), (between 01.00 and 04.00 hours) was found to be 0.178 +/- 0.044 (SD) mU/kg X min. Insulin requirements increased in the early morning (04.00-07.00 hours) to 0.231 +/- 0.084 mU/kg X min (P less than 0.01). A significant correlation between BIR and 24-h insulin requirement was found (r = 0.53, P less than 0.05). Insulin requirements per kJ following breakfast were higher than after lunch, 0.57 +/- 0.20 muU/kg X min X kJ versus 0.41 +/- 0.29 muU/kg X min X kJ (P less than 0.05).