Importance of insulin absorption, subcutaneous blood flow, and residual beta-cell function in insulin therapy.

The interaction between variation in insulin absorption and beta-cell function was studied as well as the possible relation between subcutaneous blood flow through the region of injection and the variability in insulin absorption. The results indicate that the dose of insulin, the type of insulin preparation and the local blood flow influence the insulin absorption. Residual endogenous insulin secretion, governed by the blood glucose values, serves as a modulator.