Does insulin administration contribute to immune complex formation in diabetes?

The effect of insulin administration on immune complex (IC) formation in diabetic patients was analysed in vivo and in vitro. Firstly, serial studies of IC status were performed over a mean period of 18 months in 44 diabetic patients, 37 of whom were receiving standard insulin therapy. Thirty patients changed to monocomponent (MC) insulin while seven commenced MC insulin after tablet failure.