Effect of continuous low-dose insulin treatment on subsequent incidence of diabetes in genetically prediabetic Chinese hamsters.

In an attempt to prevent the onset of diabetes, young, genetically prediabetic (but not yet hyperglycemic) Chinese hamsters were treated continuously with insulin via minipump for 4 wk beginning 1 wk before the predicted age of onset of glucosuria (age 7 wk). Continuous insulin infusion which increased the plasma insulin levels by 70%, did not cause hypoglycemia, nor did it reduce the incidence or severity of diabetic symptoms over the ensuing year of observation. In fact, early treatment with exogenous insulin tended to cause increased hyperglycemia and glucosuria. No plasma anti-insulin antibodies were detected 3 and 9 months after stopping insulin treatment.