Absorption and elimination kinetics of insulin were studied in 10 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients, 5 with and 5 without diabetic nephropathy and renal failure (RF), and 6 healthy volunteers. Plasma free insulin profiles following subcutaneous (sc) and intravenous (iv) injection of regular insulin (0.1 U/kg) were analyzed by the split-pool model. In the diabetic patients with RF, the kinetic model analysis revealed a higher rate constant of absorption (5.6±1.5×10
-2 min
-1) than in the patients without RF (1.9±0.4×10
-2 min
-1) and normal subjects (1.6±0.5×10
-2 min
-1).The rate constants of inter-pool transition and degradation of insulin in the subcutaneous space did not differ among the 3 groups. The elimination rate constant and distribution volume of insulin were de creased and increased, respectively in the patients with RF (7.3±0.3×10
-2 min
-1, 169±8.3 m
l·kg
-1) as compared with the diabetic patients without RF (10.6±0.4×10
-2 min
-1, 128.4±4.8 m
l·Kg
-1) and normal subjects (11.8±0.6×10
-2 min
-1 129.2±8.9 m
l·kg
-1). Accelerated absorption of insulin as well as decreased elimination of insulin from the systemic circulation was noted in the patients with diabetic nephropathy and renal failure.
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