Diabetes Care, Vol 9, Issue 6 561-564, Copyright © 1986 by American Diabetes Association

ARTICLES

Subcutaneous insulin infusion: change in basal infusion rate has no immediate effect on insulin absorption rate

P Hildebrandt, K Birch, BM Jensen and C Kuhl

Eight insulin-dependent diabetic patients were simultaneously given subcutaneous infusions (1.12 IU/h each) of 125I-labeled Actrapid insulin in each side of the abdominal wall. After 24 h of infusion, the size of the infused insulin depots was measured by external counting for 5 h. The basal infusion rate was then doubled in one side and halved in the other for the next 4 h. Finally, 1.12 IU/h of insulin was given in both sides of the abdominal wall for an additional 3 h. The changes in the size of the depots were measured, and the absorption rates for each hour were calculated. During the first 5 h of infusion, the depot size was almost constant (approximately 5 IU) with an absorption rate that equaled the infusion rate. Doubling the infusion rate led to a significant increase in depot size, but the absorption rate remained unchanged for the first 3 h, and only thereafter was a significant increase seen. When the infusion rate was reduced to the initial 1.12 IU/h, the absorption rate remained elevated during the next 3 h. Correspondingly, when the infusion rate was decreased, the depot size also decreased, but the absorption rate remained unchanged for the first 3 h. The results show that a change in the basal insulin infusion rate does not lead to any immediate change in the insulin absorption rate. This should be considered when planning an insulin-infusion program that includes alteration(s) in the basal-rate setting.
CiteULike    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. S. Skyler Intensive Insulin Therapy: A Personal and Historical Perspective The Diabetes Educator, January 1, 1989; 15(1): 33 - 39. [PDF]

				R. Farkas-Hirsch and Lucya. Levandoski Implementation of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy: An Overview The Diabetes Educator, January 1, 1988; 14(5): 401 - 406. [PDF]