This islet of Langerhans demonstrates pink hyalinization (with deposition of amyloid) in many of the islet cells. This change is common in the islets of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. This amyloid contains protein derivatives of amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide. Amylin is secreted in small amounts at the same time as insulin and slows the rate of rise of glucose in the blood.

There is sufficient remaining beta cell function with type 2 diabetes mellitus to prevent ketoacidosis. However, the blood glucose can rise in conjunction with dehydration to produce the complication of hyperosmolar coma, indicated by the urinalysis findings below.