The role of dietary carbohydrates and proteins in the determination of postprandial insulin requirements, evaluated by artificial pancreas, in type I diabetics

Aim of this work is to evaluate the relative role of ingested carbohydrates and proteins in determining post-prandial insulin requirement in type I diabetic patients by means of artificial pancreas 5 male diabetics were given two times a day a diet with a high amount of carbohydrates (140g) or with a high amount of proteins (120g) while connected to the Biostator. Basal and post-prandial required insulin was evaluated. Post-prandial insulin requirement after high proteins meals did not appear greater than basal requirement, while insulin requirement after high carbohydrates meals appeared statistically greater than basal requirement. No difference could be observed between insulin requirement after morning (h. 10.00) or afternoon (h. 16.00) meals. These results could be of some help in optimizing the portable infuser-treated diabetic patients.