Antibodies to pancreatic hormones in diabetics treated before 1964 and after 1974

The prevalence and titer of antibodies to pancreatic hormones in 21 diabetics treated with USP insulin preparations before 1964 (Group 1) and in another 21 diabetics treated with more highly purified insulin preparations after 1974 (Group 2) were determined. All subjects in Group 1 had antibodies to insulin, 11 had antibodies to pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and 3 to glucagon. In Group 2, 17 had antibodies to insulin, 5 to PP, and 1 to glucagon. Antibodies to somatostatin (SR1F) were not detectable in either group. Group 1 subjects had higher titers of antibodies to insulin, glucagon, and PP than Group 2 subjects. Of note, the Group 1 subjects with the highest insulin antibodies also had the greatest prevalence and highest titers of antibodies to glucagon and PP. In order to address the question of possible differences in immune responsivity between Group 1 and 2 subjects, antibody titers to 4 ubiquitous viral agents were determined. There was no significant difference in viral antibody titers between the groups.