Importance of premeal injection time in insulin therapy: Humalog Mix25 is convenient for improved post-prandial glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients with Italian dietary habits

We investigated the use, in a short period, of Humalocy Mix25 (Mix25) in a twice-daily administration regimen compared to a twice-daily injection therapy with Humulin 30/70 (30/70) in diabetic patients with Italian dietary habits. We studied 33 type 2 diabetic patients aged 59.1+/-8.1 years, BMI 29.8+/-2.7 kg/m(2), duration of diabetes and insulin therapy of 14.4+/-9.8 and 4.2+/-4.6 years, respectively. After a 4-day lead-in period of twice-daily human insulin 30/70 treatment, patients were randomized to one of two treatment sequences: (1) a twice-daily regimen with Mix25 just 5 minutes before the morning and evening meals for 12 days, followed by a twice-daily therapy with human insulin 30/70 given 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals for an additional 12 days; or (2) the alternate sequence. Each patient underwent a mixed meal test: Humulin 30/70 was administered 30 minutes before the meal, while Mix25 was given 5 minutes before. The 2-hour post-prandial glucose concentration after breakfast was significantly lower during treatment with Mix25 than with Humulin 30/70 (157+/-43.2 vs. 180+/-43.2 mg/dl, p<0.05). The glycemic excursion after dinner on Mix25 treatment was significantly lower than with Humulin 30/70 (12.2&PLUSMN;48.01 vs. 35.5&PLUSMN;36.92 mg/dl, p