Clinical significance of anti-insulin-antibodies.

Treatment of diabetic patients with common available insulin preparations in most cases results in formation of immuno-globulins called anti-insulin-antibodies. During the last 10-15 years it has been established, that these immuno-globulins, especially IgE, may be responsible for allergical manifestations. Moreover it has been established, that immuno-globulins, especially IgM, may be responsible for insulin resistance in many cases. It is concluded, that anti-insulin-antibodies also are important for the insulin requirement in non-resistant diabetics. The investigations could not reveal any significance of anti-insulin-antibodies for the degree of regulation. The remission period has been defined, 45 per cent of patients examined fulfilled the criteria for remission. The investigations support the assumption, that anti-insulin-antibodies may shorten the remission period, probably due to neutralizing effect upon the endogenous insulin supply. Finally our findings are in accordance with the view, that insulin-anti-insulin-antibody complexes might deteriorate late diabetic vascular complications.