Aldh1a3 is not elevated in the islets from WD-fed mice (Figures 0(b) and 0(c)) or any of the lean control mice (not shown), which supports our interpretation that db/db mice display phenotypes consistent with human T2D while WD-fed C57BL/6 mice may represent an earlier, nondiabetic stage of obesity and insulin resistance. Here, ALDH1A3 is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.