EFFECTIVENESS OF PER-ORAL INSULIN IN HUMAN DIABETES

Abstract

Effects of hexylresorcinol and a buffering mixture of salts on absorption of insulin from the alimentary tract were studied in 20 cases of diabetes mellitus. The standard dose was 100 I.U. pure insulin in 0.125% soln. of hexylresorcinol at a pH of 10 to 10.5. All patients were hospitalized and diets were kept constant in control and exptl. periods. Total digestion was detd. by analysis of the food and feces. As many as 8 standard doses could be given in 1 day without reducing total digestion. Effects on 24-hr. urine sugar and changes in fasting blood sugar from an early morning dose of oral insulin are given for 12 patients who reacted most favorably. Weighted avgs. showed reductions in urine sugar varying between 4.7 and 17.7 g. per 24 hrs. Immediate effects on blood sugar as weighted avgs. ranged up to 60 mg. %. Daily dosage varied from 200 or 300 to 800 I.U. the effects were not often proportional to dosage. Greater effects regularly were obtained when blood sugar was high. The equivalent unitage effect of a day''s dose of oral insulin in terms of subcut. (regular) insulin ranged from 2.1 to 22 I.U. Respiration expts. (Tissot-Haldane method) on the case showing best absorption demonstrated carbohydrate oxidation roughly proportional to dose of oral insulin. The results in general are only very mildly encouraging of the hope of adequate control of diabetes with oral insulin.