Proinsulin and A-component antibodies in diabetics after long-term monocomponent insulin treatment

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00429776
• Publication Date: 2004-11-12T01:36:56Z
• Authors: B. Bruni; S. Gamba; G. Regis; G. L. Turco
• Keywords: Proinsulin

In newly diagnosed diabetics treated with Monotard (porcine monocomponent (MC) Lente insulin) for five years, no antibodies against porcine or bovine proinsulin were observed, but 2 of 13 subjects developed a-component antibodies. In newly diagnosed diabetics, treatment for the same period with conventional Lente insulin induced both proinsulin and a-component antibodies (in 5 and 8 of 10 cases, respectively). In 31 patients transferred from conventional Lente to Monotard, proinsulin and a-component antibody levels were significantly lower than in 22 patients maintained on conventional Lente after the 5-year follow-up period. No significant differences were noted between bovine and procine proinsulin antibodies. Insulin antibody production was similar to that of proinsulin antibody.