Effect of insulin suppositories in type I diabetic patients (preliminary communication).

Eight type I diabetic patients received a subcutaneous injection of 10 IU regular insulin, or--after a one week interval--a suppository containing 75 IU crystalline insulin, the surfactant Brij 58, and the basic mass. In all patients there was a disease in blood glucose (onset after 20 min, maximum effect after 50 min, end of the effect after 90 min), and the plasma IRI level increased. However, the effect was attenuated in relation to the control test employing s.c. administration. The ratio of subcutaneous to rectal doses required to achieve the same effect was between 1:18 and 1:26.