Objective: To explore the expression and significance of heme oxygenase -1(HO-1) and adiponectin in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue of type2 diabetic patients.Methods:①Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of serum adiponectin, then observe clinical and biochemical indexes and their relation with serum adiponectin.②23 T2DM patients with obesity, 23 T2DM patients, 33 controls with obesity and 23 controls were selected .the HO-1 and adiponectin mRNA expression level in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue was assayed by Reverse Transcription -Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and was analyzed the relation with clinical indexes.③The expression level of HO-1 protein in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue was assayed by Western Blot, and was analyzed the relation with clinical indexes.④The level of adiponectin mRNA、HO-1 mRNA and protein, serum adiponectin in four groups were above-mentioned dectected, we observed their correlations using linear correlation analysis.Result:①There was an obvious difference of serum adiponectin among four groups (P<0.01), serum adiponectin level was negatively correlated to BMI (P<0.01), FPG, TG (P<0.05).②Type 2 diabetic patients with obesity show significantly lower expression of adiponectin mRNA in omental adipose tissue (P<0.05), and the level was negatively correlated to BMI, FPG (P<0.01), WHR, WC (P<0.05). While the expression of HO-1mRNA in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Type 2 diabetic patients with obesity was significantly lower (P<0.05), and the level in omental adipose tissue was negatively correlated to BMI (P<0.01).③Type 2 diabetic patients and these with obesity show significantly lower expression of HO-1 protein in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue compared with control groups(P<0.05), and the level in omental adipose tissue of Type 2 diabetic patients with obesity was negatively correlated to BMI, FPG, TG (P<0.05).④The expression level of HO-1protein in omental adipose tissue of Type 2 diabetic patients with obesity was positively correlated to the level of adiponectin mRNA and serum adiponectin(P<0.01), While the HO-1 protein level of Type 2 diabetic patients was positively correlated to the level of adiponectin mRNA and serum adiponectin(P<0.05).Conclusion:①The level of serum adiponectin in Type 2 diabetic patients with obesity is significantly lower when comparing with controls. The higher level of body weight index (BMI) , the lower of serum adiponectin .②Type 2 diabetic patients with obesity show significantly lower expression of adiponectin mRNA than that of controls, BMI, WC, WHR, FPG and other clinical parameters reflect the degree of insulin resistance.③The levels of HO-1mRNA and protein in Type 2 diabetic patients are significantly lower when comparing with controls. The higher level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the lower of HO-1 expression.④The levels of adiponectin mRNA and serum adiponectin in Type 2 diabetic patients are decreasing when HO-1protein expression level is decreased, this phenomenon prompts the possible existence of an HO-1–adiponectin regulatory axis.