Yang W, et al. - In this cross-sectional study of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), researchers examined the links between circulating levels of novel adipose tissue-derived inflammatory factors (including resistin, vaspin, and visfatin) and the severity of atherosclerosis. They also intended to gain clarity on the links between these inflammatory factors and obesity and insulin resistance in this population. A gradual rise in the circulating levels of resistin and visfatin was observed with more severe carotid atherosclerosis, while level of vaspin decreased. A positive correlation of all tested adipose tissue-derived inflammatory factors with the body mass index and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) of patients was evident, even after adjustment for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Overall, a possible implication of adipose tissue-derived inflammatory factors resistin, vaspin and visfatin in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in elderly T2DM patients was indicated.