This study evaluated the effects of insulin jet-injections on insulin and glucose blood levels after a meal.

Daily insulin injections are a routine part of life for millions of diabetic patients. In an attempt to reduce patient discomfort, jet-injectors were developed to allow the delivery of insulin without the use of any kind of needle. Insulin jets-injectors are small devices, shaped like a pen, which inject insulin through the skin by forcing a high-pressure stream of insulin through a very tiny hole at the end of the injector. This high-pressure jet of insulin penetrates the outer layer of the skin and disperses into the blood stream. However, the complexity and expense of these devices often cause people to avoid jet-injectors.

In this trial, 24 diabetic patients were randomized to receive insulin either by jet-injection or by conventional insulin injection. Following a standardized meal, blood was sampled for 6 hours to compare the effects on glucose and insulin blood levels. Insulin delivered by jet-injection reached peak levels faster (was absorbed in the blood more rapidly) compared to conventional needle insulin injection. Due to this rapid peak in insulin levels, blood glucose levels during the first hour following a meal were significantly reduced with insulin jet-injections compared to conventional injections. However, blood glucose levels during the following 5 hours of investigation did not show any significant difference between the two injection methods.

This study concluded that more rapid insulin absorption by jet-injections may lead to decreased blood glucose levels following a meal, thus decreasing glycemic burden.

This small study was funded by the European Pharma Group which manufactures insulin jet-injectors. No information was provided regarding subjective patient experience with the jet-injector or adverse effects.