Figure 3. EPA attenuates Mmp9 and Tnfsf11 upregulation in CaCl₂-induced AAA. A.

. mRNA levels of the matrix metalloproteases Mmp2 and Mmp9, as well as their tissue inhibitors Timp1 and Timp2, in aortas at 1 and 3 weeks after perivascular CaCl₂ application were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. B. The mRNA levels of the factors known to be involved in the development of vascular calcification, Tnfsf11 and Tnfrsf11b, were also similarly analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. All expression levels were first normalized to 18s rRNA levels and then presented as fold change over the sham group. *P<0.05.