title: Improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of rapid-acting insulin using needle-free jet injection technology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Insulin administered by jet injectors is dispensed over a larger subcutaneous area than insulin injected with a syringe, which may facilitate a more rapid absorption. This study compared the pharmacologic profile of administration of insulin aspart by jet injection to that by conventional insulin pen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Euglycemic glucose clamp tests were performed in 18 healthy volunteers after subcutaneous administration of 0.2 units/kg body wt of aspart, either administered by jet injection or by conventional pen, using a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, cross over study design. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles were derived from the glucose infusion rate (GIR) needed to maintain euglycemia and from plasma insulin levels, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The time to maximal GIR was significantly shorter when insulin was injected with the jet injector compared with conventional pen administration (51 ± 3 vs. 105 ± 11 min, P < 0.0001). The time to peak insulin concentration was similarly reduced (31 ± 3 vs. 64 ± 6 min, P < 0.0001) and peak insulin concentrations were increased (108 ± 13 vs. 79 ± 7 mU/L, P = 0.01) when insulin was injected by jet injection compared with conventional pen injection. Jet injector insulin administration reduced the time to 50% glucose disposal by ∼40 min (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in maximal GIR, total insulin absorption, or total insulin action between the two devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of insulin aspart by jet injection enhances insulin absorption and reduces the duration of glucose-lowering action. This profile resembles more closely the pattern of endogenous insulin secretion and may help to achieve better meal insulin coverage and correction of postprandial glucose excursions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elsemiek E C
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Engwerda
authors.forename: Evertine J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Abbink
authors.forename: Cees J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: Bastiaan E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: de Galan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D007277:Injections, Jet; D061266:Insulin, Short-Acting / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D061266:Insulin, Short-Acting