FGF23 appeared to be toxic to endothelial cells, whereas α-klotho appeared to be protective, and the inhibitory effect of FGF23 on α-klotho prompted us to further investigate the effect of the FGF23/α-klotho ratio on atherosclerosis in T2DM, which has received little attention [29]. The gene discussed is FGF23; the disease is atherosclerosis.