Impaired insulin secretion and related factors in East Asian individuals.

Abstract

The main pathophysiological features of type 2 diabetes are impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Impaired insulin secretion, resulting from reduced beta-cell function/mass, may be more important in Asian individuals, in contrast to the relative importance of insulin resistance in Caucasian individuals. In this JDI UPDATES, we describe the natural history of pancreatic beta-cell function and related factors in East Asian individuals, and discuss recent findings regarding islet morphology, including beta-cell mass.