[Early changes in the function of pancreatic beta cells and insulin pulsatility as predictors of type 2 diabetes].

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a defective insulin secretion and a reduction in insulin action on its targets. These possibly genetically-driven primary defects combine with secondary long term hyperglycemia and metabolic abnormalities. Whereas type 1 diabetes mellitus is clearly linked to a reduction in beta-cell mass, type 2 diabetes mellitus appears as secondary to an hereditary beta-cell dysfunction. Indeed, insulin resistance does not stand as the sole cause for type 2 diabetes, as suggested by cases of severe insulin resistance in diabetes-free, non aged, obese or acromegalic patients, as well as in patients treated with steroids. In fact, type 2 diabetes results from an inappropriate insulin secretion in regards with body needs.