The biologic effect of human insulin (recombinant DNA) and purified pork insulin (PPI) was compared during insulin-induced hypoglycemia at two intravenous dosages 0.075 and 0.1 U/kg body wt in 12 healthy volunteers. Serum insulin concentrations and plasma glucose curves were identical. PPI induced a significantly (P < 0.05) higher output of epinephrine, growth hormone, and cortisol at both doses. Less inhibition (P < 0.05) of endogenous insulin secretion was observed for human insulin at 0.1 U/kg body wt. An elevated incidence of sweating during hypoglycemia was related to epinephrine secretion. The results indicate that homologous insulin produces in vivo effects which are different from those produced by heterologous insulin.

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