Abstract: AIM:To explore the relationship between the plasma level of Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML) and carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) in patients with type II diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma CML in 72 patients with T2D and 24 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Carotid IMT was tested by ultrasound. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, plasma CML level significantly increased (P<0.05) in T2D patients. Patients with T2D had much higher values of carotid IMT than controls and IMT was positively correlated with CML. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the plasma CML level was an independent contributor to carotid IMT after adjusting by age, lipid level and blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Plasma CML level is highly correlated to carotid IMT in patients with diabetes, suggesting the potential predictive value of CML in diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.