Like a student driver -- the function of proinsulin (c-peptide) is as critically important as driver's education. The research was done, but because the information highway was just picking up speed (at the time back in '88) dissemination of such research was difficult, at best. Never fear - I found a good study to start things rolling.

Proinsulin (c-peptide) is made along with insulin in a 1 to 1 ratio from the beta cells. After a dose of proinsulin was administered - it took 5 to 10 minutes longer to lower a patient's blood sugar in comparison to insulin, alone. The rise of blood sugar following the lowest point was much slower, as well. In lay terms this means that insulin, coupled with proinsulin (c-peptide), results in a more controlled reaction. Kind of like the teenager with his permit to drive and Dad riding shotgun. The permit gives the kid the right to drive the car, but Dad is telling the kid when to accelerate and when to slow down. Insulin and proinsulin are quite similar in nature except we're talking about a life threatening hormone without the parental guidance.

The antilipolytic effect of proinsulin (tapping fat cells for energy and ANTI means this is stopped) was significantly stronger in comparison to insulin alone. Human proinsulin has a stronger effect on prevention of fat burning for energy in the absence of insulin (ketoacidosis). This seems logical because if you metabolize the glucose in your blood for energy - you will have little (if any) residual glucose to store as fat. Type 2 diabetics have a plethora of c-peptide in their body upon diagnosis but their blood sugar is also high. Looks like insulin and proinsulin reduces the risk of ketoacidosis and regulates fat metabolism.

Why did they decide to manufacture human synthetic insulin without it again? A personal experience pumping piggy proinsulin for 2 days now and I've seen definite control in my blood sugar fluctuations - less than 20 mg/dL in any testing window. It feels like the newly introduced highly purified porcine proinsulin came with a built-in continuous glucose monitor (i.e., C-peptide). More to come...

Medtronic, one of the largest manufacturers of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, issued a call to action request for insurance companies. The need for greater coverage on continuous glucose monitors is as important (and as necessary) as the rising demand for insulin pumps.

The president of Medtronic's diabetes division, Chris O'Connell, urged the insurance companies to consider the vast growth of the company - which was measured as considerably faster than the industry average, with sales climbing 24% in the last quarter. The device was approved for adult patients last year and U.S. regulators approved an expanded edition for use in children. The continuous glucose monitor alerts diabetics to dangerous spikes or dips in their blood sugar levels via wire-like sensors inserted under the skin that measure glucose levels and transmit the data wirelessly to a pager-size receiver.

The company plans to conduct clinical studies to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of the technology. Presumably, after two to three years of clinical trials, the evidence will be conclusive enough for insurance companies to consent to providing greater coverage for this continuous glucose monitoring.