TBXT and endothelial dysfunction: Therefore, the aims of the present study were: (1) to determine whether T-cad deficiency is involved in the development of T2DM, (2) to determine whether T-cad deficiency may cause endothelial dysfunction in descending aortic vascular segments (the most frequent location of atherosclerosis development), (3) to determine whether endothelial dysfunction is exacerbated by T-cad deficiency in descending aortic vascular segments in T2DM, and (4) to elucidate the responsible underlying mechanisms.