Objective To investigate the association of serum levels of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1),soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with peripheral vascular disease of lower limbs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods One hundred and thirty T2DM patients admitted from October 2011 to October 2012,and 30 age/sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study.The serum levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,hs-CRP and other clinical parameters were measured; the peripheral blood vessels of lower limbs were examined with color Doppler ultrasonography.Based on the extent of angiopathy of lower limbs T2DM patients were classified as normal vascular group (n =26),mild angiopathy group (n =45),moderate/severe angiopathy group (n =59).Results The serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in moderate/ severe angiopathy group of T2DM patients were higher than those in mild angiopathy group,normal vascular group and healthy controls (t:4.15-8.93,all P ＜0.05) ; the serum levels of hs-CRP in moderate/severe angiopathy group were higher than those in mild angiopathy group,normal vascular group and healthy controls (t:2.18-4.27,all P ＜ 0.05).The serum sICAM-1 level was positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and sVCAM-1.The serum sVCAM-1 level was positively correlated with course of disease,systolic blood pressure and CRP.Conclusions Serum levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1 and hs-CRP are correlated with the extent of angiopathy of lower limbs in T2DM patients,and the elevated sICAM-1 ; sVCAM-1 and hs-CRP levels are also associated with hyper blood pressure,dislipidemia and chronic inflammation.