Factors Affecting the Absorption of Subcutaneously Administered Insulin: Effect on Variability.

Variability in the effect of subcutaneously administered insulin represents a major challenge in insulin therapy where precise dosing is required in order to achieve targeted glucose levels. Since this variability is largely influenced by the absorption of insulin, a deeper understanding of the factors affecting the absorption of insulin from the subcutaneous tissue is necessary in order to improve glycaemic control and the long-term prognosis in people with diabetes. These factors can be related to either the insulin preparation, the injection site/patient, or the injection technique. This review highlights the factors affecting insulin absorption with special attention on the physiological factors at the injection site. In addition, it also provides a detailed description of the insulin absorption process and the various modifications to this process that have been utilized by the different insulin preparations available.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against mink leukocytes.

Three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated against mink leukocytes. One antibody reacted with all T lymphocytes, one with all monocytes and one had platelet reactivity. Under reducing conditions, the T lymphocyte reactive antibody immunoprecipitated 18 kDa, 23 kDa, 25 kDa and 32-40 kDa polypeptides and the platelet reactive antibody 17 kDa, 22 kDa plus two high molecular weight (> 100 kDa) polypeptides. Immunohistological studies of the mAbs were performed in order to localize the cellular distribution of the detected antigens in various organs. The T lymphocyte reactive antibody detected an antigen, which was widely distributed in the T cell area of lymph nodes and spleen and in the thymic medulla. We conclude that this antibody is an anti-CD3 mAb and suggest that the platelet reactive antibody reacts to the CD41/CD61 integrin molecule. In addition to our own mAbs, more than 100 mAbs against leukocytes of human and various animal species have been analysed for cross-reactivity to mink leukocytes. We found eight to cross-react with mink. Of particular importance was an anticanine CD11a mAb, an antihuman CD79a mAb and an antihuman bcl-2 mAb.