ABSTRACT
The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is complex and usually requires defects both in β-cell function and in insulin sensitivity. The molecular defects behind diabetes are not fully understood, and have led to heated scientific debates. Nevertheless, there are some points of agreement on the pathology of type 2 diabetes: (a) genetic factors determine the risk of developing type 2 diabetes; (b) the presence of insulin resistance predicts future development of type 2 diabetes; and (c) the failure of β-cells to compensate the insulin resistance leads to diabetes.
