Insulin and Insulin Antibody: What a Family Physician should Know ?

Antibodies develop to injected insulin frequently. The development of anti-insulin antibodies is maximum to conventional bovine insulin compared to the porcine variety. The immunogenicity of the insulin is not only due to the species from which the insulin is prepared but also the impurities that are present in the preparation like proinsulin and other islet ceil hormones. Hence the purified insulins produce lesser amount of antibodies and among the purified insulins, the least is produced by human insulin. The production of these antibodies depends on the insulin preparation, the route of administration, age and sex and the genetic status of the individuals. These antibodies produce various complications. They include allergy, lipoatrophy, insulin resistance, alteration of metabolic control, hypoglycemia, reduction in the duration of remission period and fetal hypoglycemia when given during the gestational period. These can be overcome by the use of purified insulins