Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 is a risk factor for diabetic kidney disease.

•Lp-PLA2 is a marker for atherosclerosis and inflammation in the vessel wall.•Lp-PLA2is associated with incidence and development of DKD in patients with T2D.•Lp-PLA2 should be considered as a biomarker for early detection and follow-up of DKD.•Our study partially showed the potential inflammatory reaction mechanisms underlying DKD.