To elucidate the role of CREG in endothelial apoptosis, an in vitro model of HUVECs treated with high glucose (25 mM D-glucose) and a range of palmitate concentrations (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mM) was established to mimic the pathological stimuli present in individuals with DM. The gene discussed is CREG1; the disease is diabetes mellitus.