Insulin stability in peripheral parenteral nutrition solutions

Abstract

Objective: In the preceding study, we reported that glucose and amino acids decreased the insulin content in the intravenous solution with a higher pH. In this study, we investigated the decrease in the insulin content in PPN solutions and maintenance solutions with glucose to determine the factors responsible for the decrease.
Methods: Insulin was added to various PPN solutions and maintenance solutions with glucose, and the insulin content was measured periodically with HPLC.
Results: The decrease in the insulin content was due to adsorption to the container in a lower concentration and degradation in a higher concentration. The degree of decrease did not differ among preparations of PPN solutions or maintenance solutions with glucose. The insulin content in maintenance solutions with glucose decreased more markedly in the solutions with a higher pH.
Conclusion: Insulin should be administered separately from PPN solutions or maintenance solutions with glucose because the insulin content decreases over time.