Effects of purified insulins on insulin requirement and metabolic control.

Seventeen diabetics requiring high insulin doses were transferred from conventional insulin to purified chromatographed porcine insulins (Actrapid and Lentard-Novo, Denmark). At the end of 8 to 12 weeks, there was a 46% reduction in insulin dosage while metabolic control improved. Some of these patients when transferred again to conventional insulins demonstrated poor metabolic control and an increase in insulin requirements. Use of purified insulin is beneficial as insulin requirement is reduced with improved metabolic control.