Accelerated pharmacokinetics and glucodynamics of prandial insulins injected with recombinant human hyaluronidase

This phase 1 study investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and glucodynamics of insulin lispro (Humalog; Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN) or regular human insulin (Humulin R; Eli Lilly and Co.) administered with or without (+/-) recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20). Healthy male volunteers (n = 26), 18-55 years old with body mass index 18-28 kg/m(2), weight >70 kg, and normal fasting glucose, were randomized to a crossover sequence of two subcutaneous injections, each followed by a 6-h euglycemic clamp targeting glucose 90-110 mg/dL: Cohort 1 received 20 U of Humalog +/- 300 U of rHuPH20 (11.3 microg/mL), whereas Cohort 2 received 20 U of Humulin R +/- 240 U of rHuPH20 (10 microg/mL). Pharmacokinetic parameters included peak serum insulin concentration (C(max)), time to C(max) (t(max)), and area under the curve (AUC) of serum concentration versus time. Glucodynamic parameters included time to maximal glucose infusion rate (tGIR(max)) and area under the GIR-versus-time curve (G). For Humalog and Humulin R, respectively, rHuPH20 co-administration reduced t(max) by 51% (P = 0.0006) and 58% (P = 0.0002), increased C(max) by 90% (P = 0.0003) and 142% (P < 0.0001), increased early exposure (AUC(0-2h)) by 85% (P < 0.0001) and 211% (P < 0.0001), and reduced late exposure (AUC(4-6h)) by 41% (P < 0.0001) and 48% (P < 0.0001). Similarly, rHuPH20 reduced tGIR(max) by 41% (P = 0.006) and 35% (P = 0.01), increased early metabolism (G(0-2h)) by 52% (P = 0.001) and 127% (P < 0.0001), and reduced late metabolism (G(4-6h)) by 29% (P = 0.002) and 26% (P = 0.03) for Humalog and Humulin R, respectively. Injections were well tolerated. Co-administration of rHuPH20 accelerated the PK and glucodynamics of both insulin formulations. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical relevance of these findings in patients with diabetes.