This study aimed to determine the association of fatty acid transporter plasma solublecluster of differentiation 36 (sCD36) with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCA). A cross-sectionalstudy was conducted in 1023 subjects, 225 with type 1 diabetes (T1D), 276 with type 2 diabetes (T2D)and 522 who were nondiabetic. Carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) presence was determined usingB-mode carotid ultrasound imaging. sCD36 were analysed by ELISA, and CD36 surface receptor andmRNA expression were measured by flow cytometry and real-time PCR. Logistic regression modelswere used to evaluate sCD36 as a biomarker of SCA. Up to 376 (36.75%) participants had at least oneCAP, 76 T1D, 164 T2D and 136 without diabetes, while the remaining 647 (63.25%) did not have anyCAP. There were no differences in sCD36 between patients with and without CAP in T1D (p=0.287)or T2D (p=0.513). Although nondiabetic subjects with plaques had lower sCD36 levels than thosewithout (p=0.023), the multivariate models revealed no association of sCD36 with CAP in any of thethree study groups. No differences were found in surface CD36 or CD36 mRNA expression between the patients with and without CAP. sCD36 is not associated with SCA in type 1 or type 2 diabetic orin nondiabetic subjects.