The overall goal of this study was two-fold; we wanted to demonstrate that salicylate would also improve retinal function (as measured by ERG) in a type 2 diabetic rat model, as well as provide a potential mechanism of action for the improved retinal function after salicylate treatment using analyses of insulin signaling in both salicylate treated animals, as well as in retinal endothelial cells and Müller cells. This evidence concerns the gene INS and type 2 diabetes mellitus.