Insulin glulisine has a faster onset of action compared with insulin aspart in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
Because of its zinc-free formulation insulin glulisine (GLU) might have a faster onset of action than other short-acting analogues. We compared the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of GLU with those of insulin aspart (ASP).


METHODS
Twelve healthy subjects, aged 18-65 years, participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. Subjects received 0.2 U/kg GLU or ASP under euglycaemic glucose-clamp conditions.


RESULTS
GLU showed a significantly higher early metabolic effect (area under the glucose infusion rate (GIR) curve in the first 30 min AUC-GIR (0-)30↓ min 30.3 ± 26.4 vs. 16.2 ± 18.4 mg/kg, P = 0.0421) than ASP, an earlier onset of action (time to 10% of GIR (max) (GIR (max)-t (10%)) 9 vs. 17 min, P = 0.0146) and a faster absorption (shorter times to 10% and 20% of INS (max,) P = 0.0005 each).


CONCLUSIONS
As demonstrated previously versus lispro, GLU, the only analogue formulated without zinc, also has an earlier onset of action than ASP.
Arnolds
S
S
Profil Institut für Stoffwechselforschung GmbH, Neuss, Germany. sabine.arnolds@profi lresearch.de
Rave
K
K
Hövelmann
U
U
Fischer
A
A
Sert-Langeron
C
C
Heise
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000327:Adsorption; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007328:Insulin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D061267:Insulin Aspart; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; C479079:insulin glulisine; D061267:Insulin Aspart