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Diabetes is a widespread disease and, according to the WHO, in some cases has reached epidemic proportions. It is currently the fourth most common cause of death in the industrialized countries and is rapidly increasing in the developing countries. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic islets, leading to efficientza insulin secretion. he highest rates of increase of type 2 diabetes are to be found in the developing countries or their communities, where an increase in the standard of living is associated with the adoption of the Western life-style and socioeconomic modernisation. It is a multifactorial disorder with genetic and environmental components. The primary aim of anti diabetic therapy is to reduce hyperglycemia levels and control glycaemia. As things stand at present, the drugs available on the market are old drugs such as metformin and the sulphonylureas and recently introduced drugs such as the -glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolinediones. As is understandable, the strategies aimed at controlling glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes differ and correspond to the different abnormalities presented by the diabetes.

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