FIGURE 1.

Pathophysiology of Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease in which the pathophysiology involves an interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Hyperglycemia develops as a result of pancreatic islet failure in lieu of systemic insulin resistance. Islet failure in T2DM is associated with a deficit in β-cell mass and function and increased glucagon secretion. Insulin resistance in T2DM primarily manifests at the level of skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, and is characterized by impaired insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, failure to suppress hepatic glucose production, and elevated adipose tissue lipolysis and inflammation.