Chemically modified insulin is available more quickly

[Northerner]

Replacing a hydrogen atom by an iodine atom in insulin, the hormone retains its efficacy but is available more rapidly to the organism. Researchers at the University of Basel were able to predict this effect based on computer simulations and then confirm it with experiments. The results have been published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Insulin is formed in the pancreas and regulates the blood glucose level. In the body it is stored as a zinc-bound complex of six identical molecules, called a hexamer. However, the physiologically active form is a single insulin monomer. Only when the body requires insulin the hexamer divides into monomers available for blood sugar regulation.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-01/uob-cmi010317.php

 

[mikeyB]

Hmmm, not sure I can think of any clinical possibilities for this finding.

 

[Northerner]

I read it as meaning a faster-acting insulin might be a possibility, which would be a good thing? The one thing that inhaled insulin had going for it was that it acted immediately, not after an hour or so like my novo'rapid' in the morning! 🙄

 

[mikeyB]

Or a variable time like 1-2 hours for my flipping humalog.

 

[Northerner]

Or a variable time like 1-2 hours for my flipping humalog.

I think Apidra has the reputation for being the fastest onset, and shortest duration. I'm accustomed to my novorapid now, but certainly wouldn't call it rapid. I remember when I was diagnosed being under the illusion that it had an immediate effect (which it may for some people, this being diabetes) 😱

 

[trophywench]

Novorapid has always worked within 10 minutes for me. Don't really need it to start any quicker, Ta ! LOL

 

[Matt Cycle]

NovoRapid replaced the inappropriately named Actrapid.

 

[trophywench]

Dunno Matt - they always used Actrapid in Insulin Pumps in hospitals, however it was like 500u/ml, ie 5x as strong as what we normally use. Never came across it 'in the wild' LOL

 

[Matt Cycle]

Dunno Matt - they always used Actrapid in Insulin Pumps in hospitals, however it was like 500u/ml, ie 5x as strong as what we normally use. Never came across it 'in the wild' LOL

I went onto MDI in 1987. I must have been one of the pioneers as I had an original Novopen which used 100u Actrapid cartridges (1.5ml) with Ultratard via a syringe as my basal. I think NovoRapid was introduced in the late 90's/early 2000's but I was still using Actrapid cartridges until around 2006.

 

[trophywench]

I spent that time on the awful Humulin I & S and got carted off mega hypo in ambulances to various A&Es all over the place. Didn't get any warning of the hypos and my BG was sitting happily at 7.00, 20 minutes before I hit the crash barrier on the motorway, fell off the pillion of the motorbike, etc.

They eventually agreed to let me have Novorapid and Lantus in 1999.