Insulin antibodies in diabetics after changeover from conventional NPH to highly purified insulin

Abstract

The levels of insulin binding immunoglobulin (IgG) were determined by the method of Christiansen in 12 diabetics who were previously treated with conventional beef-pork NPH insulin for at least 6 months. High titers of IgG were found in 9 patients, moderately high in one, and low level in two according to grouping categories. No relationships among insulin dosage, duration of insulin therapy and levels of IgG were demonstrated. After changing over to highly purified insulin (monocomponent-pork insulin) the titers of IgG dropped within 3 months in 10 patients, within one year in 2. The IgG decreased significantly after one year in all cases. The reduction of insulin dosage did not correlate with the decrease of IgG during the 2-year-period of study. Lipoatrophy disappeared in 2 patients. The benefit of long term use of monocomponent insulin in improvement of diabetic control, reduction or delay of chronic complications remains to be investigated.