Comparative study of NPH human insulin (recombinant DNA) and NPH bovine insulin in diabetic subjects.

The hypoglycemic potencies of human insulin (recombinant DNA) and bovine NPH insulin were compared in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. The same dosages of the two preparations were alternately injected, for two successive 5-day periods, on a twice-a-day schedule. Blood glucose profiles were monitored by finger pricking 6 times/day. Slight but significant differences in glucose time appeared, suggesting that human NPH insulin acts faster than bovine NPH, and for a shorter time.