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Chet Leach

Publications and source records attributed to Chet Leach.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Inhalation of human insulin is associated with improved insulin action compared with subcutaneous injection and endogenous secretion in dogs.

This study compared the effects of endogenous (portal) insulin secretion versus peripheral insulin administration with subcutaneous or inhaled human insulin [INH; Exubera, insulin human (rDNA origin) inhalation powder] on glucose disposal in fasted dogs. In the control group, glucose was infused into the portal vein (Endo; n = 6). In two other groups, glucose was infused portally, whereas insulin was administered peripherally by inhalation (n = 13) or s.c. injection (n = 6) with somatostatin and basal glucagon. In the Endo group, over the first 3 h, the arterial insulin concentration was twice that of the peripheral groups, whereas hepatic sinusoidal insulin levels were half as much. Although net hepatic glucose uptake was greatest in the Endo group, the peripheral groups demonstrated larger increases in nonhepatic glucose uptake so that total glucose disposal was greater in the latter groups. Compared with s.c. insulin action, glucose excursions were smaller and shorter, and insulin action was at least twice as great after INH. Thus, at the glucose dose and insulin levels chosen, peripheral insulin delivery was associated with greater whole-body glucose disposal than endogenous (portal) insulin secretion. INH administration resulted in increased insulin sensitivity in nonhepatic but not in hepatic tissues compared with s.c. delivery.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Inhalation of human insulin (exubera) augments the efficiency of muscle glucose uptake in vivo.

This study assessed the site of increased glucose uptake resulting from insulin inhalation, quantified its effect under steady-state glucose concentrations, and identified the time to onset of effect. Human insulin was administered to 13 beagles via inhalation (Exubera [insulin human (rDNA origin)] Inhalation Powder; n = 7) or infusion into the inferior vena cava (Humulin R; n = 6) using an algorithm to match plasma insulin levels and kinetics for both groups. Somatostatin and glucagon were infused. Glucose was delivered into the portal vein (4 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and a peripheral vein, as needed, to maintain arterial plasma glucose levels at 180 mg/dl. Hepatic exposure to insulin and glucose and liver glucose uptake were similar in both groups. Despite comparable arterial insulin and glucose levels, hind-limb glucose uptake increased 2.4-fold after inhalation compared with infusion due to increased muscle glucose uptake. Glucose infusion rate, nonhepatic glucose uptake, and tracer-determined glucose disposal were about twice as great compared with intravenous insulin. The effect appeared after 1 h, persisting at least as long as arterial insulin levels remained above basal. Pulmonary administration of insulin increases nonhepatic glucose uptake compared with infusion, and skeletal muscle is the likely site of that effect.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Inhalation of insulin (Exubera) is associated with augmented disposal of portally infused glucose in dogs.

The results of the present study, using the conscious beagle dog, demonstrate that inhaled insulin (INH; Exubera) provides better glycemic control during an intraportal glucose load than identical insulin levels induced by insulin (Humulin) infusion into the inferior vena cava (IVC). In the INH group (n = 13), portal glucose infusion caused arterial plasma glucose to rise transiently (152 +/- 9 mg/dl), before it returned to baseline (65 min) for the next 2 h. Net hepatic glucose uptake was minimal, whereas nonhepatic uptake rose to 12.5 +/- 0.5 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) (65 min). In the IVC group (n = 9), arterial glucose rose rapidly (172 +/- 6 mg/dl) and transiently fell to 135 +/- 13 mg/dl (65 min) before returning to 165 +/- 15 mg/dl (125 min). Plasma glucose excursions and hepatic glucose uptake were much greater in the IVC group, whereas nonhepatic uptake was markedly less (8.6 +/- 0.9 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1); 65 min). Insulin kinetics and areas under the curve were identical in both groups. These data suggest that inhalation of Exubera results in a unique action on nonhepatic glucose clearance.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Inhalation of insulin in dogs: assessment of insulin levels and comparison to subcutaneous injection.

Pulmonary insulin delivery is being developed as a more acceptable alternative to conventional subcutaneous administration. In 15 healthy Beagle dogs (average weight 9.3 kg), we compared insulin distribution in arterial, deep venous, and hepatic portal circulation. Dogs received 0.36 units/kg s.c. regular human insulin (n = 6) or 1 mg (2.8 units/kg) or 2 mg (5.6 units/kg) dry-powder human inhaled insulin (n = 3 and 6, respectively). Postinhalation of inhaled insulin (1 or 2 mg), arterial insulin levels quickly rose to a maximum of 55 +/- 6 or 92 +/- 9 microU/ml, respectively, declining to typical fasting levels by 3 h. Portal levels were lower than arterial levels at both doses, while deep venous levels were intermediate to arterial and portal levels. In contrast, subcutaneous insulin was associated with a delayed and lower peak arterial concentration (55 +/- 8 microU/ml at 64 min), requiring 6 h to return to baseline. Peak portal levels for subcutaneous insulin were comparable to those for 1 mg and significantly less than those for 2 mg inhaled insulin, although portal area under the curve (AUC) was comparable for the subcutaneous and 2-mg groups. The highest insulin levels with subcutaneous administration were seen in the deep venous circulation. Interestingly, the amount of glucose required for maintaining euglycemia was highest with 2 mg inhaled insulin. We conclude that plasma insulin AUC for the arterial insulin level (muscle) and hepatic sinusoidal insulin level (liver) is comparable for 2 mg inhaled insulin and 0.36 units/kg subcutaneous insulin. In addition, arterial peak concentration following insulin inhalation is two times greater than subcutaneous injection; however, the insulin is present in the circulation for half the time.

Administration, Inhalation↗