Premixed Glucagon/Insulin Solution for Faster Insulin Absorption in Type 1 Diabetes

Rationale: We recently published that in healthy subjects, micro-doses of glucagon significantly increase local subcutaneous (SC) blood flow. As the absorption of insulin among other factors also depend on the local subcutaneous blood flow, we hypothesised that micro-doses of glucagon at the site of SC insulin delivery enhance the absorption of insulin and speed up the effect on blood glucose levels. Recently, in anesthetized pigs we found that adding 0.1 mg of glucagon at the site of SC insulin injection enhances the insulin absorption and we have unpublished animal data confirming that micro-doses of glucagon premixed in insulin (Lyumjev®) enhances the absorption of SC injected insulin. Thus, we hypothesize that adding micro-amounts of glucagon to an insulin solution will speed up the absorption of insulin and the effect on glucose metabolism. Objective To study if adding micro-amounts of glucagon to a fast-acting insulin (Lyumjev®) before injection speed up the absorption of and effect on glucose metabolism of SC injected insulin. Trial design Open, prospective, controlled, single centre investigation where patients with T1D are their own controls. They will meet fasting in the morning on two separate days and receive a SC injection with insulin on both days. One of the days they will be randomised to receive an insulin solution where 5 ng glucagon per unit insulin has been added. Intervention Participants are asked to fast from midnight before entering the research facility at 08 in the morning. On the morning of the study days patients will be asked to adjust the insulin infusion to have a glucose around 6.0 mmol/L when arriving at the research facility. When arriving the pump will be shut down, and 1. If glucose is \>6.0 mmol/L intravenous (IV) insulin will be given (guided by a physician) for up to 2 hour to stabilize glucose levels at 6.0 mmol/L. 2. If glucose is \<6.0 mmol/L IV glucose is given for up to 2 hours to stabilize glucose levels at 6.0 mmol/L. An indwelling intravenous catheter is established, and glucose is measured every 5 minutes for at least 20 minutes before the injection with study insulin or glucagon/insulin solution. Another intravenous access is also established and used for continuous glucose infusion (euglycemic clamp procedure). The dose of insulin (Lyumjev®) or glucagon/insulin (glucagon/Lyumjev®) solution (5 ng glucagon/Unit insulin) will be 0.1 unit of insulin per kg body weight. The same dose of insulin is used on both study days.