Effectiveness of Rectal Insulin Suppositories Containing Sodium Cholate in Normal and Insulin Dependent Diabetic Subjects

The effectiveness of 100-U porcine insulin suppository containing 5% sodium cholate was examined in 3 normal volunteers (controls) and 15 diabetics. The hypoglycaemic response, in controls, started at 15 min, peaked at 30 min and returned to the initial level after 45 min, while in diabetics, started at 15 min, peaked at 120 min and persisted for the duration of the study (150 min). The maximum percent reduction in plasma glucose was found to be significantly greater in controls than in diabetics, while the AUC for percent glucose reduction was greater in diabetics than in controls. This was accompanied by a significant rise in serum insulin in controls than in diabetics. The serum insulin peaked at 15 min and remained above the initial value for 45 and 120 min, post administration, in controls and diabetics, respectively. Thus, rectal insulin could be considered as alternative to existing therapies.