Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2000; Vol. 108(2): 100-105
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-5887
Articles

© Johann Ambrosius Barth

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of long-acting insulin analogue NN304 in comparison to NPH insulin in humans

G. A. Brunner 1 , G. Sendlhofer 1 , A. Wutte 1 , M. Ellmerer 2 , B. Søgaard 3 , A. Siebenhofer 1 , S. Hirschberger 3 , G. J. Krejs 1 , T. R. Pieber 1
  • 1 Division of Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Karl-Franzens-University, Graz, Austria
  • 2 Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
  • 3 Novo Nordisk A/S Denmark/Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

Summary:

NN304 is a long-acting insulin analogue that is acylated with a 14-C-fatty acid chain. Protraction of action of this novel insulin analogue is due not to slow absorption after subcutaneous administration but to reversible binding to albumin. We investigated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of insulin analogue NN304 (0.3 and 0.6 U/kg) in comparison to NPH insulin (0.3 and 0.6 IU/kg) in 10 healthy volunteers performing a randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled glucose clamp study. During the observation period of 24 hours the areas under the insulin curve for NPH[0.3 IU/kg] vs. NPH[0.6 IU/kg] were 60 vs. 102 nmol min l-1 (p < 0.01) and for insulin analogue NN304[0.3 U/kg] vs. NN304[0.6 U/kg] 490 vs. 932 nmol min l-1 (p < 0.001), suggesting a clear dose-response relationship for both NPH insulin and NN304. The amount of disposed glucose (area under the curve of glucose infusion) differed with statistical significance between the five treatments and was highest with NPH[0.6 IU/kg] (2671 mg/kg) and lowest with placebo (265 mg/kg). However, area under the curve of glucose infusion after treatment with NN304 was only 36% (dose of 0.3 U/kg) and 24% (dose of 0.6 U/kg) of that observed with corresponding doses of NPH insulin. Moreover, increasing dosages of NN304 failed to demonstrate a significant dose-response with regard to the area under the curve of glucose infusion. This study demonstrates that the principle of protracted insulin action of NN304 by reversible binding to albumin is effective in humans albeit at a much lower rate of glucose utilisation when compared to NPH insulin. Thus, in contrast to animal studies NN304 and NPH insulin can not be considered equipotent in humans.

Abbreviations: NPH, Neutral Protamine Hagedorn; NPHlow, NPH insulin in a dosage of 0.3 IU/kg; NPHhigh, NPH insulin in a dosage of 0.6 IU/kg; NN304low, Insulin analogue NN304 in a dosage of 0.3 U/kg; NN304high, Insulin analogue NN304 in a dosage of 0.6 U/kg; AUC, area under the curve; GIR, glucose infusion rate.

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1 Cmax maximum concentration; Tmax Time to Cmax; AUCinsulin area under the curve of insulin/NN304; t1/2 terminal elimination half life; MRT mean residence time; AUCGIR0-24h area under the curve of glucose infusion rate during the 24 hours observation period; GIRmax maximum glucose infusion rate; tGIRmax time to maximum glucose infusion rate; DECRBG rate of decrease of blood glucose (see also Methods section); * time = 0-∞; ** time = 0-24 hours; a p < 0.05, b p < 0.01, c p < 0.005, d p < 0.001

Gernot A. BrunnerMD 

Department of Internal Medicine

Karl-Franzens-University

Auenbruggerplatz 15

A-8036 Graz

Phone: +43 3 16 3 85 22 74

Fax: +43 3 16 3 85 30 62

Email: gernot.brunner@kfunigraz.ac.at

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