LEP and type 2 diabetes mellitus: The previously described calprotectin expression in VAT [10] was particularly intense in patients with obesity and T2DM, compared to lean and normoglycemic individuals, and the circulating calprotectin concentration correlated significantly with the expression and concentration of other proinflammatory adipocytokines and cytokines synthesized in adipocytes (e.g., leptin, IL-6, TNF-alpha).