INTRAPERITONEAL INSULIN ABSORPTION AFTER LONG-TERM INTRAPERITONEAL INSULIN THERAPY

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate insulin absorption through the peritoneal memb rane after long-term intraperitoneal insulin therapy using an implante d programmable device. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Seven insulin-dep endent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients implanted with a programmable pump were studied after 3 and 30 months of intraperitoneal insulin th erapy. A 20-min square wave infusion of 15 IU of insulin was administe red in the peritoneal space, and plasma glucose and plasma free insuli n levels were monitored for 180 min. Hypoglycemia was prevented by int ravenous glucose infusion. RESULTS - After 30 months of intraperitonea l insulin therapy, plasma free insulin profiles following the administ ration of insulin in the peritoneal space were similar to those observ ed at the beginning of this mode of therapy. CONCLUSIONS - In IDDM pat ients, intraperitoneal insulin absorption does not change after long-t erm intraperitoneal insulin therapy using an implanted device.