Experiences in the insulin requirement of diabetics.

Using the artificial endocrine pancreas the insulin requirement of diabetics was determined on a standard diet during a fasting period of 12 hours or a 6-hour resting fasting period in the night. Values characteristic of the individual type of diabetes ranging from 507 mU/h to 1410 mU/h were found. The basal and the modulating insulin requirement were both determined. A considerable diurnal variation of the modulating insulin-requirement was demonstrated with the highest value in the morning and the lowest in the evening. In order to cover the basal insulin requirement the corresponding quantity of a very long acting insulin was given with supplements of short acting insulin 2--5 times during the day to obtain a continuous normoglycaemic state. This procedure proved to be optimal in the treatment of pregnant diabetics.