Diabetes mellitus

Question 1

Diabetes mellitus

Answer 1

Disorder of insulin release and signalling; impaired ability to regulate blood glucose concentrations

Question 2

Type I diabetes

Answer 2

Fail to secrete enough insulin (β-cell dysfunction)

Question 3

Type II diabetes

Answer 3

Fail to respond appropriately to insulin levels

insulin resistance

Question 4

Overall effect

Answer 4

Metabolism is controlled as if the person is undergoing starvation

Question 5

Complications

Answer 5

• hyperglycaemia with progressive tissue damage (e.g. retina, kidney, peripheral nerves)
• increase in plasma fatty acids and lipoprotein levels; cardiovascular complications
• increase in ketone bodies with the risk of acidosis
• hypoglycaemia with consequent coma

Question 6

Glucagon against hypoglycaemia

Answer 6

Glucagon stimulates gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis

Insulin deficiency and excess of glucagon leads to increased hepatic output of glucose and hyperglycaemia