Human Insulin

The management of type 1 diabetes mellitus entails replacing the actions of the beta cells of the pancreatic islet to detect the needs of insulin and to have insulin administered according to the needs of the patient's body. Insulin is a natural hormone, and it is an essential medication for a multitude of disease states. One of the most critical uses of insulin is in type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.[1][2] Insulin is one of the few medications indicated for use in the management of gestational diabetes.[3] Due to its effects of driving potassium into the intracellular compartment, it has utility in the management of hyperkalemia.[4] Insulin is a component in the management of complications of diabetes mellitus, including diabetic ketoacidosis as well as the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.[5] There is a proven clinical benefit of using insulin in critical illnesses to prevent or treat hyperglycemia-related toxicity.[6] Commonly, treatment of hypertriglyceridemia includes dietary modifications and medical management with the use of fibrates, fish oil, and niacin, amongst others. One of the other very important applications of insulin is in the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia as well as hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis. Insulin lowers the triglycerides by upregulating the formation of lipoprotein lipase, which works by hydrolyzing the triglycerides. Insulin infusion can help patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia by quickly reducing the blood concentrations of triglycerides to less than 1000 mg/dl.[7]