[Comparison of the effects of protamine-bound NPH porcine insulin and NPH human insulin in type 1 and 2 diabetes].

Porcine and semisynthetic human insulin preparations (Nordisk) having the same content of regular insulin, same galenic characteristics and same degree of purity, were tested in type I, type IIa and type IIb diabetics. There was no difference as to the duration of action. This is contrary to some earlier reports stating that protamine-bound biosynthetic human insulin has a shorter duration of action than porcine preparations. The onset of the hypoglycaemic action in type IIa diabetics is significantly more rapid with isophane human insulin than with isophane pork insulin. The use of an insulin pump prior to testing the duration of action of intermediate insulin preparations appears to be superior to other methods.