New Concepts in the Pathogenesis of NIDDM

The pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) has attracted the interest of our group during the last three decades. As early as 1969, a Nobel Symposium dealing with this topic was organized in Stockholm. This was followed in 1987 by a Nobel Conference devoted to the same subject. The main purpose of these meetings was to bring together the most distinguished scientists from all over the world and present theories on molecular and genetic mechanisms responsible for the development of glucose intolerance in NIDDM. This idea was followed also in the present symposium, "New Concepts in the Pathogenesis of NIDDM," organized with diabetologists from Toronto in Canada. Our purpose is to biannually organize international meetings covering important aspects of dia­ betes research, hoping that this type of interaction may result in new concepts and treat­ ment alternatives. For us, participating in this symposium in September 1992, the meeting in Stockholm was very stimulating and innovative. It is a special pleasure that almost all invited lecturers submitted manuscripts. Thus, the publication of the proceedings of the symposium makes it possible for all interested in diabetes research to share new ideas and findings presented at the meeting. Claes-G6ran Ostenson Suad Efendic Mladen V ranic v CONTENTS REGULATION OF INSULIN SECRETION Impaired Glucose-Induced Insulin Secretion: Studies in Animal Models with Spontaneous NIDDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. -G. Ostenson, A. Khan, and S. Efendic Perturbation ofIslet Metabolism and Insulin Release in NIDDM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 WJ.Malaisse 2 Regulation of Cytoplasmic Free Ca+ in Insulin-Secreting Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .