The plasma levels of MMP‐2 were not significantly different between participants with type 2 diabetes without peripheral arterial disease or healthy volunteers; however, there was a significant difference in MMP‐9 levels between participants with type 2 diabetes with peripheral arterial disease and without peripheral arterial disease (with peripheral arterial disease, 62 ± 30; without peripheral arterial disease, 39 ± 24; P < .01).51 Here, MMP9 is linked to peripheral arterial disease.