A discussion of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus must start with a review of
mechanisms involved in the maintenance of normal glucose homeostasis in the basal or
postabsorptive state (10–12 h overnight fast) and following ingestion of a typical mixed meal
[1–9]. In the postabsorptive state the majority of total body glucose disposal takes place in
insulinindependent tissues. Thus, approximately 50% of all glucose use occurs in the brain,
which is insulin-independent and becomes saturated at a plasma glucose concentration of …