Plasma Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels with Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion in Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Plasma lipid and lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were measured in 10 insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetics taking their usual dose of conventionally administered insulin during 6 mo. of a continuous s.c. insulin infusion delivered with a small, portable battery-powered pump. With this insulin delivery system near normal glucoregulation was provided 24 h a day for the entire study. This improved glucoregulation resulted in significant reductions in total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride, and very low density and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels within 2-4 wk of treatment. These changes persisted for the entire 6 mo. of observation. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels rose significantly after 2 mo. of treatment and continued to increase during the 6 mo. study. These changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in response to treatment with continuous s.c. insulin infusion would favorably alter the predicted risk for the development of premature atherosclerosis in these patients.