Comparative studies on intermediary metabolism and hormonal counterregulation following human insulin (recombinant DNA) and purified pork insulin in man.

Human insulin (recombinant DNA) and purified pork insulin (PPI) were administered intravenously at a dosage of 0.075 U/kg in eight healthy men. Both insulins exerted the same hypoglycemic effect with the same restoration pattern to normal glucose levels at the end of the test. Differences were found with respect to a stronger antilipolytic and antiketogenic effect of human insulin; also the reactive rise of both compounds at the end of the test is less under human insulin in comparison with PPI. In spite of the same glucose nadir, the pattern of hormonal counterregulation is different under human insulin in comparison with PPI. There was less epinephrine and glucagon and practically no prolactin secretion following human insulin. Growth hormone secretion is augmented under human insulin. The clinical significance of these results under long-term treatment with human insulin has to be assessed.