Background We investigated the pathogenesis of atherosc lerosis in diabetes, and detected the expression of scavenger receptor CD 36 in monocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods According to the criteria by WHO, diabetic patients wer e classified into two groups: well controlled diabetic patients (WCP) and poorly controlled diabetic patients (PCP). The expression of CD 36 protein and m RNA were evaluated by flow cytometry and reversal transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Plasma levels of accumulution of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) were directly measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method . Results Flow cytometry and RT-PCR showed that the mean fluores cence intensity (MFI) of CD 36 in monocyte and CD 36 mRNA were signifi cantly higher in the PCP and WCP in comparison with healthy controls (P<0 .01). CD 36 MFI and mRNA in the PCP were increased by 78% and 36% compa red to the WCP. In both groups, CD 36 MFI and mRNA were significantly high er in patients with diabetic atherosclerosis in comoparison with those without d iabetic atherosclerosis (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in C D 14 expression between the groups (P>0.05). The concentrations of pl asma oxLDL were higher in the PCP group compared to WCP and control group (P <0.05), whereas oxLDL average values did not differ significantly between WCP a nd control groups (P>0.05). In the WCP and PCP groups, oxLDL levels were h igher in patients with diabetic atherosclerosis than those without diabetic athe rosclerosis (P<0.05). Conclusions The increased expression of scavenger receptor CD 36 may be one of the mechanism of accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetic. The poorly controlled diabetes patients are at higher risk for the vascular comp lications than the well controlled diabetic patients. Background We investigated the pathogenesis of atherosc lerosis in diabetes, and detected the expression of scavenger receptor CD 36 in monocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods According to the criteria by WHO, diabetic patients wer e classified into two groups: well controlled diabetic Patients (WCP) and poorly controlled diabetic patients (PCP). The expression of CD36 protein and m RNA were evaluated by flow cytometry and reversal transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Plasma levels of accumulution of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) Results Flow cytometry and RT-PCR showed that the mean fluores cence intensity (MFI) of CD36 in monocyte and CD36 mRNA were signifi- cantly higher in the PCP and WCP in comparison with healthy controls (P <0.01). CD36 MFI and mRNA in the PCP were increased by 78% and 36% compa red to the WCP. cantly high er in patients with diabetic atherosclerosis in comoparison with those without d iabetic atherosclerosis (P <0.05). No significant difference was found in CD 14 expression between the groups (P> 0.05). The concentrations of pl asma oxLDL were higher in the PCP group compared to WCP and control group (P <0.05), while oxLDL average values ​​did not differ significantly from WCP a nd control groups (P> 0.05). In the WCP and PCP groups, oxLDL levels were h igher in patients with diabetic atherosclerosis than those without diabetic athe rosclerosis (P <0.05). Conclusions The increased expression of scavenger receptor CD36 may be one of the mechanisms of accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetic. The poorly controlled diabetes patients are at higher risk for the vascular complications than the well controlled diabetic patients