The circulating concentrations of some cytokines (C reactive protein (CRP) or Interleukin (IL)-6), coagulation factors (D-dimer or fibrinogen), proteases (matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)) or cardiac damage markers have been reported to be increased in PAD patients. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is peripheral arterial disease.