The explanation for this is not certain, but we did observe that patients with IHD had greater systemic inflammation [plasma IL-6 IHD 2.40 pg/ml (1.30–4.35) vs. DM 1.86 pg/ml (1.03–3.02)], whereas those with DM had a more marked reduction in plasma albumin. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is myocardial ischemia.