The use of human ultralente is limited by great intraindividual variability in overnight plasma insulin profiles

Abstract

Our objective was to investigate the usefulness of human ultralente insulin as basal substitution overnight in patients with Type 1 diabetes treated with multiple insulin injection therapy by evaluating the free insulin and glucose profiles, the day-to-day variability and the impact of the time of injection. Methods: Ten patients with Type 1 diabetes and with good metabolic control (mean HbA1c 6.0%), treated with regular human insulin before breakfast, lunch and dinner and human ultralente (Ultratard®) before dinner or at bedtime, were studied. Plasma profiles of blood glucose and free insulin were measured on three occasions from 16.00 h until noon the next day. On two of these occasions Ultratard® was injected before dinner and once it was injected at bedtime in randomized order. Results