AimTo investigate the changes of visfatin and adiponectin(APN) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and their relation with intima-media thickness(IMT) of the carotid artery.MethodsAccording to the IMT level, the 73 diabetic patients were divided into two subgroups: IMT thickened group (37 cases) and IMT normal group (36 cases).Plasma visfatin and APN levels were examined.The relationship between visfatin, APN and IMT were investigated.ResultsPlasma visfatin was elevated in T2DM patients as compared with that in normal control group (P<0.01), and more in IMT thickened group than in IMT normal group (P<0.01).Plasma APN was lower in the diabetic group as compared with that in controls(P<0.01). It was also lower in IMT thickened group compared with those in IMT normal group (P<0.01).Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that visfatin level was positively related to IMT, visceral fat thickness and fasting insulin.There was positive correlation between adiponectin level and HDLC, but it was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and waist-hip ratio in these T2DM patients.Visfatin, age and HbAlC were positively correlated with IMT, and APN was negatively correlated with IMT.ConclusionElevated plasma visfatin and descended APN may be one of probable risk factors in the early atherosclerosis in the patients with T2DM.