Vasculoprotective pleiotropic effects of anti-diabetic drugs have received a lot of attention since the emergence of recent clinical data describing significant cardiovascular risk reduction in diabetic and/or prediabetic patients treated with certain molecules independent of their hypoglycemic effect. This symposium explores the detrimental role that adipose tissue inflammation plays in the development cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Recent findings regarding signaling pathways underling this deleterious interaction will be presented. Several potential therapeutic targets will be explored, together with novel therapeutic tools currently under clinical investigation. As well, new protective mechanisms for traditional drugs via modulation of adipose inflammation will be highlighted.