PHARMACOKINETICS OF A PORCINE INSULIN ZINC SUSPENSION IN DIABETIC DOGS

Ten dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus were injected with a highly purified porcine insulin zinc suspension at a dose according to their expected requirement. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrati ons were measured at two-hourly intervals over 24 hours following inje ction. There were either one or two peaks in plasma insulin concentrat ion: one at about four hours (mean 4.3 +/- 1.3 [SD]) and another at ab out 11 hours (mean 11 +/- 1.85) after the injection. The second insuli n peak was seen in only eight dogs. Persistence of elevated plasma ins ulin concentrations ranged from 14 to 24 hours (mean 17.4 +/- 3.65). T hese results compare favourably with those published for other interme diate-acting insulin preparations used to treat canine diabetes mellit us and suggest that this preparation has useful properties for the suc cessful management of many canine diabetics.