The possibility that obesity-associated inflammatory changes may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (2DM) has led to increased interest in the possibility that salicylates might represent a useful treatment to improve glucose tolerance. Several studies, performed in patients with 2DM, as well as in nondiabetic, obese individuals, have demonstrated that salicylates have beneficial effects on glucose and insulin metabolism, but have not led to a coherent view as to the mechanism(s) involved.