The present volume summarizes current research on type 2 diabetes, its etiology, pathogenesis and long-term vascular and neurological consequences, with special emphasis on molecular and biochemical mechanisms. Alterations in insulin secretion are comprehensively treated, focusing on the role of glucokinase as glucose sensor. Moreover, insulin action is analyzed with regard to both nonoxidative glucose utilization and glucose oxidation. Concerning the complications in chronic diabetes, topics covered include the effects of high glucose concentration on cellular and endothelial functions and on the glucose phosphorylation rate in non-insulin-sensitive tissues. Furthermore, the role of oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products as well as the significance of alterations in lipoprotein structure are considered. Finally, the pericyte loss in retinopathy and microalbuminuria as related to cardiovascular risk are discussed. Taken as a whole, the contributions included in this book represent a large body of information that will be of great interest to diabetologists, endocrinologists and internists interested in both the basic and clinical aspects of diabetes and its complications.