Correction of post-prandial hyperglycemia is increasingly becoming important to patients with diabetes type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) in order to reduce their risk of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies have indicated that there is a strong relationship between the degree of glycemic control, determined by HbA1c levels, and the frequency of cardiovascular events and mortality. Acute hyperglycemia has been implicated as a contributed factor for increasing the incidence of myocardial infarction, cardiac mortality and in the genesis of the microangiopathic complications. Intensive treatment, usually involving multiple insulin injections, and tight glucose control have been suggested by trials as DCCT, Kumamoto and UKPDS as the ideal treatment in patients with DM in order to prevent chronic diabetic complications. However, intensive treatment may lead to an increased incidence of hypoglycemic episodes, including severe hypoglycemia, which can be a limiting factor for achievement of optimal metabolic control. Ideal agents to treat DM should improve the postprandial and global glycemic control with no increased or less risk of hypoglycemia. We revise the clinical profile of a rapid-acting human insulin analogue, insulin lispro, and of a new long-acting analog insulin lispro NPL and fixed mixtures of insulin lispro and NPL (insulin lispro Mix25 and insulin lispro Mix50). Lispro mixtures, like insulin lispro itself, reduce the postprandial glucose rise compared to human insulin NPH or mixtures of similar ratios with equivalent doses of the insulin. Additionally insulin lispro, lispro Mix25 and Mix50 decrease the risk of hypoglycemia associated with human insulin preparations, particularly nocturnal episodes. Insulin lispro Mix25 may be a good therapy for DM1 or DM2 who are currently taking a similar ratio of short- to intermediate-acting insulin, using NPH alone, or experiencing inadequate control on oral antidiabetic agents.
Diabetes type 1; Diabetes type 2; Postprandial hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemia; Insulin lispro; Insulin lispro mixture; Insulin NPL
