Effect of peripheral versus portal venous administration of insulin on postprandial hyperglycemia and glucose turnover in alloxan-diabetic dogs

The effects of peripheral venous and portal venous delivery of insulin by a closed-loop insulin infusion device (Biostator GCIIS) on postprandial hyperglycemia and rates of glucose appearance, disappearance, and clearance were compared in alloxan-diabetic dogs. The amounts of insulin required and the peripheral venous plasma insulin concentrations achieved were not different for the two routes of insulin administration. No statistically significant differences in postprandial hyperglycemia or patterns of glucose disposal were observed between the two routes of insulin delivery. These studies indicate that in terms of hepatic versus extrahepatic disposal of glucose, there appears to be no practical advantage of portal venous over peripheral venous administration of insulin when a closed-loop insulin infusion device is used.