INS and diabetes mellitus: According to the American Diabetes Association (A.D.A.), diabetes mellitus (DM) can be classified into the following categories: (i) type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), characterized by the loss of pancreatic β-cells induced by an autoimmune response; (ii) type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), identified by the gradual loss of insulin secretion and/or the development of insulin resistance; (iii) gestational DM, developed in some pregnant women; and (iv) other types of DM that are due to miscellaneous causes (2, 3).