Increased in serum T2D55; increased in plasma of newly diagnosed T2D, correlates with elevated heme oxygenase‐1132; decreased in serum T2D and pre‐DM125; Decreased in serum obese/dyslipidaemic T2D vs non‐T2D obese/dyslipidaemic controls, anti‐inflammatory with increased IL‐8 and HGF131. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.