Open AccessAn Investigation of the Action of Neutral Protamine Hagedorn Human Analogue Insulin in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Diabetes Mellitus
Author(s) -
Palm C.A.,
Boston R.C.,
Refsal K.R.,
Hess R.S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0249.x
Subject(s) - medicine , protamine , diabetes mellitus , insulin , action (physics) , human insulin , endocrinology , pharmacology , heparin , physics , quantum mechanics
Background: Neutral Protamine Hagedorn human analogue insulin (Humulin N) is commonly used for treatment of canine diabetes mellitus (DM). However, blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations in Humulin N‐treated dogs with naturally occurring DM have not been reported. Objective: To investigate blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations in the clinical setting of client‐owned Humulin N‐treated dogs with naturally occurring, well‐regulated DM. Animals: Ten client‐owned dogs with naturally occurring, well‐regulated DM. Methods: In this clinical study, blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations were measured when dogs received food and insulin (T 0 ), at approximately every half hour for the next 2 hours, and then approximately every 2 hours for an additional 8 hours. Insulin duration of action was defined as the number of hours from T 0 to the lowest blood glucose concentration and until blood glucose concentration returned to an interpolated value of 70% of basal blood glucose concentration (Glucose b ). Results: Mean percent of insulin‐induced blood glucose suppression was 49.9 ± 17.1% (median, 46%; range, 29–78%). Insulin duration of action ranged from 4 to 10 hours. Blood glucose concentration increased initially and returned to Glucose b within 0.6–2.2 hours after T 0 in 5 dogs. This initial blood glucose surge then was followed by blood glucose suppression in all 5 dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These results suggest that Humulin N administered SC twice daily is an effective mode of treatment for dogs with naturally occurring DM. Postprandial hyperglycemia is present in some well‐regulated diabetic dogs treated with Humulin N.