In view of the above findings, we hypothesize that the positive association of serum PEN concentrations with BMI in our study cohort as a whole and in the T2DM subgroup may be related, on the one hand, to an increased generation of PEN through an inflammatory state with persistent oxidative stress, partly due to the AGE-RAGE interaction and, on the other hand, to poor dietary habits. The gene discussed is RENBP; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.