Effect of twice daily subcutaneous administration of a long-acting somatostatin analog on 24-hour plasma glucose profiles in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

To determine the effect of twice daily subcutaneous administration of a long-acting somatostatin analog on diabetic glycemic control, seven insulin-dependent diabetic subjects were treated with mixtures of insulin (regular and lente) given 30 minutes before breakfast and supper alone or along with WY-41, 747, a long-acting somatostatin analog. Postprandial hyperglycemia was markedly reduced after breakfast and supper (peak values 123 +/- 15 vs. 207 +/- 1 mg/dl, P less than 0.01 and 150 +/- 13 vs. 235 +/- 29 mg/dl, P less than 0.02, WY-41,747 + insulin vs. insulin alone, respectively). Although values after lunch and the evening snack were not significantly different, overall mean 24 hr plasma glucose concentrations were significantly less with WY-41,747 plus insulin than with insulin alone (136 +/- 9 vs. 176 +/- 13, P less than 0.05). No serious adverse effects were noted. We conclude that administration of a long-acting somatostatin analog such as WY-41,747 twice daily along with insulin may permit some diabetic patients to achieve satisfactory glycemic control without having to inject insulin 3-4 times daily prior to each meal.