title: Therapy of insulin-independent diabetes mellitus: general considerations.
abstract: Rational approaches to the therapy of patients with insulin-independent diabetes should be based on correcting the underlying defects. The major metabolic abnormalities present in patients with insulin-independent diabetes are: (1) impaired insulin action, (2) defective glucose-mediated insulin secretion, and (3) hyperglucagonemia. All of these defects could be due to a generalized plasma membrane abnormality that affects insulin and glucose receptors or to a generalized disturbance in postreceptor insulin action. Insulin action may be increased by sulfonylureas, possibly by alterations in intracellular cyclic AMP content, or by weight-reducing diets. Insulin secretion may be increased by gastrointestinal hormones, sulfonylureas, serotonin antagonists, or weight-reducing diets. Individual patients with insulin-independent diabetes have varying degrees of insulin resistance or impaired glucose-mediated insulin secretion. The use of therapeutic agents to correct the predominant defect should provide the most effective means of controlling the hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance of the individual patient.
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D014044:Tolbutamide / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon; D014044:Tolbutamide