Receptor Binding Studies and Clinical Effects of Human Insulin (recombinant DNA): Studies in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type I Diabetes, Type II Diabetes, Insulin Resistance (Type A and Type B), Insulin Antibodies, Insulin Allergy, and “Brittle” Diabetes

Thirty-eight insulin-dependent diabetic subjects were treated for periods ranging from 1 to 14 mo with human insulin (recombinant DNA) in order to investigate the clinical effects of human insulin in comparison with pork insulin. Human insulin was well tolerated and no side effects were detected. The following differences between human and pork insulin were observed: reduced blood glucose oscillations associated with a reduction in hypoglycemic symptoms in patients with “brittle” diabetes and type I diabetes, decreased concentrations of antibodies against pork insulin related to a reduction of insulin requirement of §15%, increased specific receptor binding in patients with type I diabetes and insulin resistance: type A, possibility for treating patients with pork insulin allergy, and an increased biologic activity in a patient with polyclonal antireceptor antibodies. No difference was detected between pork and human insulin treatment in patients with type II diabetes and in a patient with insulin resistance: type B with monoclonal antireceptor antibodies. Human insulin was used safely and successfully in the treatment of diabetic patients.