Skip to main content
PepStack

Insulin (Regular)

Insulin & Glucose Regulation
Human InsulinHumulin RNovolin RRegular Insulin

Overview

Insulin (Regular), also known as Human Insulin, Humulin R, or Novolin R, is a synthetic form of the endogenous hormone insulin, which is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. It belongs to the peptide hormone class and is crucial for glucose metabolism. Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin used to manage blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Researchers have extensively studied its role in glucose regulation and its therapeutic applications in diabetes management. The primary physiological role of insulin is to facilitate cellular uptake of glucose, thus lowering blood glucose levels. It also plays a role in lipid and protein metabolism. Research areas include its impact on metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and its potential use in treating other metabolic disorders. Insulin acts by binding to insulin receptors on cell surfaces, triggering a cascade of events involving the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This leads to increased glucose uptake by cells, particularly muscle and adipose tissue, and influences gene expression related to metabolism. Pharmacokinetically, regular insulin has a relatively short half-life and is typically administered subcutaneously. Its onset of action is about 30 minutes, with a peak effect occurring between 2 to 4 hours and a duration of action of 5 to 8 hours. It is metabolized primarily in the liver and kidneys. Clinically, regular insulin is used to control hyperglycemia in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is approved by regulatory agencies worldwide, including the FDA, for this purpose. Researchers have found it effective in managing acute hyperglycemic episodes and as part of a basal-bolus insulin regimen in diabetes care.

Mechanism of Action

Insulin (Regular) acts on insulin receptors, primarily located on muscle and adipose tissue cells. Upon binding, it activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, leading to increased glucose uptake and utilization by cells, and modulation of metabolic processes.

Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics

EndogenousCirculating half-life ~5-10 minutes
Subcutaneous~5-8 hours
Intravenous~5-10 minutes
OralPoor bioavailability due to first-pass metabolism

Regular insulin has a rapid onset and short duration, suitable for mealtime glucose control.

Storage

Temperature

Refrigerate at 2-8°C

Light

Protect from light

Form

Aqueous solution: use within 28 days after opening

Notes

Do not freeze; discard if frozen.

Solubility

Insulin (Regular) is soluble in water, forming a clear solution suitable for injection.

Legal Status

🇩🇪DE

Prescription only (verschreibungspflichtig), not a controlled substance under BtMG.

🇺🇸US

FDA approved for diabetes management, prescription required.

🇦🇺AU

TGA Schedule 4 (S4) - Prescription Only Medicine.

🇬🇧UK

Prescription Only Medicine (POM) under MHRA regulations.

Legal status information is provided for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulatory changes. Always verify with official government sources before making any decisions.

3 Research Publications

Glycemic Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients on Ambulatory Humulin-R U-500 Insulin.

Human

Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists · 2022

Researchers observed that hospitalized patients who were using U-500 insulin before admission experienced significant high blood sugar levels. They found that using inpatient insulin doses of 40% of the home dose or less than 0.6 units per kilogram did not increase the risk of low blood sugar. More studies are needed to find the best insulin dosing for these patients.

  • Hospitalized patients on U-500 insulin had significant hyperglycemia.
  • Inpatient doses of 40% of home total daily dose or ≤ 0.6 unit/kg did not increase hypoglycemia risk.
  • Further research is needed to determine effective insulin dosing for these patients.
PubMed

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equivalence of Biocon's biosimilar Insulin-R with the US-licensed Humulin® R formulation in healthy subjects: Results from the RHINE-1 (Recombinant Human INsulin Equivalence-1) study.

Human

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2022

Researchers found that Biocon's biosimilar Insulin-R is pharmacokinetically and pharmacodynamically equivalent to Humulin® R in healthy individuals. The study showed that both insulin formulations had similar effects on insulin levels and glucose management, and both were well tolerated with no serious side effects reported.

  • Biocon's Insulin-R and Humulin® R had comparable insulin concentration and glucose infusion rates.
  • The safety profiles of both treatments were similar.
  • No serious adverse events occurred during the study.
PubMed

Expression in Escherichia coli of chemically synthesized genes for human insulin.

Unknown

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 1979

Researchers observed that they could successfully create synthetic genes for the A and B chains of human insulin using a bacteria called Escherichia coli. They fused these genes with another gene to produce a stable precursor protein, which allowed them to purify the insulin chains. Ultimately, they confirmed the presence of insulin through specific testing methods.

  • Synthetic genes for human insulin were successfully cloned.
  • Insulin peptides were purified from a precursor protein.
  • The presence of insulin was confirmed using radioimmunoassay.
PubMed

Track your hormone research in PepStack

Log cycles, set reminders and visualize serum levels.

This page is for informational and research purposes only. All information is based on published scientific literature. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice or replaces consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.