Promoting effect of the new chymotrypsin inhibitor FK-448 on the intestinal absorption of insulin in rats and dogs.

FK-448 is a potent and specific inhibitor of chymotrypsin, which enhances the intestinal absorption of insulin in rats and dogs resulting in a decrease in blood glucose levels in these animals. In dogs, the immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level of plasma rose proportionally to the decrease in blood glucose level. From in-vitro data, insulin was inactivated by pancreatic enzymes or the supernatants of intestine or liver homogenates. FK-448 suppressed the digestion of insulin by pancreatic enzymes and its enhancement of the intestinal absorption of insulin was found to be related to its inhibition of digestive enzymes, especially chymotrypsin.