DeFronzo, R.A., "Insulin Resistance: A Multifaceted Syndrome Responsible for NIDDM, Obesity, Hypertension, Dyslipidaemia and Atherosclerosis," The Netherlands Journal of Medicine, 50(5), 1997, pages 191-197.

Summary:
The purpose of this review paper was to analyze factors responsible for the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). NIDDM results from an imbalance between insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. One of the first detectable signs of NIDDM is impairment in the body’s ability to respond to insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. The pancreas is the organ responsible for releasing the hormone insulin, which is in charge of blood glucose regulation. With time, the pancreas may fail to produce enough insulin to control blood-glucose levels. This leads to a condition known as impaired glucose tolerance and eventually to a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The cause of this pancreatic “exhaustion” may be related to chronically elevated blood-glucose levels (glucose toxicity), possibly caused by insulin resistance. Despite release of insulin by the pancreas, glucose does not respond to insulin and circulates in the blood longer. Glucose is neither broken down for use as energy nor is it stored as glycogen.