Pathogenesis of feline diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is the result of inadequate insulin secretion. In cats this is often associated with conditions that reduce insulin sensitivity and increase the requirement for insulin secretion. Obesity, and acromegaly, and pancreatitis are common predisposing causes of diabetes in cats. The mechanisms that prevent the pancreatic β cells from secreting adequate amounts of insulin are not well understood, but may include inflammatory mediators, reactive oxygen species, toxic intracellular protein oligomers, and toxicity from increased blood glucose concentrations.