Increased cept1 gene expression in the peripheral arteries of individuals with diabetes led us to hypothesize that PPARα and its downstream effectors, Acyl-CoA Oxidase 1 (acox1) and Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1A (cpt1a), may also be increased in the setting of diabetes and vary relative to atherosclerotic disease severity. The gene discussed is CPT1A; the disease is diabetes mellitus.