A Role of Insulin in different types of Diabetes

Diabetes is a complex, chronic disease characterized by an elevation of the level of glucose in the blood. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, controls the blood glucose level by regulating the production and storage of glucose. In diabetes there may be a decrease in the body s ability to respond to insulin or a decrease in the insulin produced by the pancreas which leads to abnormalities in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The resulting hyperglycemia may lead to acute metabolic complications including ketoacidosis and in the long term contribute to chronic micro-vascular complications (Smeltzer and Bare, 1992). Diabetes mellitus may be redefined as a complex, chronic disorder characterized by disruption of normal carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism and the development over time of micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications and neuropathies.