In the T2DM group, CTRP9 showed significant positive correlations with BMI, FBG, insulin, HOMA-IR, sE-Selectin, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 (p < 0.05) and a negative association with adiponectin (p < 0.05); however; the correlations between CTRP9 and BMI and insulin and sICAM-1 disappeared after adjustment for adiponectin in the T2DM group. Here, INS is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.