The results showed that the expression of the ERS-related proteins ATF6 and GRP78 in the DM OA group was significantly higher than that in the non-DM OA group (Fig. 4a, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the content of AGEs was also significantly increased (Fig. 4b, P < 0.05). This evidence concerns the gene ATF6 and diabetes mellitus.