Simple solution to problem of biostator-induced insulin aggregation

It has recently been reported that there is a significant loss of insulin immunoreactivity and bioavailability secondary to heat-induced insulin aggregation during prolonged insulin delivery by the Biostator. This artifact of Biostator insulin delivery system makes data generated by studies that use prolonged, continuous insulin infusions performed with the Biostator uninterpretable. We report the prevention of this problem by the addition of 20 ml heparinized whole blood to a 500-ml reservoir containing the insulin to be infused. The proposed solution is simple, economical, and without risk to the subject since his or her own blood can be used.