COMPARISON OF PERIPHERAL AND PORTAL ROUTES OF INSULIN INFUSION BY A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED INSULIN INFUSION SYSTEM (ARTIFICIAL ENDOCRINE PANCREAS)

The different consequences of portal and peripheral routes of insulin administration by the artificial endocrine pancreas were determined. Intraportal glucose was infused (10 mg/min per kg for 60 min) in anesthetized normal and pancreatectomized dogs, while blood glucose concentrations were monitored continuously. During computer-controlled insulin administration normal glucose tolerance was restored by both portal and peripheral routes of insulin delivery. There were no significant differences in glycemic patterns, insulin infusion patterns, peripheral IRI [immunoreactive insulin] levels and total insulin requirements between the 2 routes. The peripheral route, which is more readily accessible than the portal route, may be an appropriate infusion site for an implantable or portable prosthesis for controlling blood glucose concentration.