Figure 1.

UVB irradiation limits the development of Ang II–induced AAA. A, Experimental design. Arrows represent 5 kJ/m² UVB irradiation. Apolipoprotein E‐deficient (Apoe ^−/−) mice aged 12 weeks and fed a high‐cholesterol diet were treated with Ang II infusion for 28 days. Ten‐week‐old Apoe ^−/− mice were irradiated with 5 kJ/m² UVB once weekly for 6 weeks and were euthanized at 16 weeks of age for evaluation of AAA formation. Nonirradiated mice infused with Ang II or saline served as controls or shams, respectively. B, Kaplan–Meier curve shows survival rate in UVB‐irradiated (n=38), nonirradiated (n=42), and sham (n=12) mice. C, Mortality due to AAA rupture in UVB‐irradiated (n=38) and nonirradiated (n=42) mice. Error bars represent standard error. **P<0.01. AAA indicates abdominal aortic aneurysm; Ang II, angiotensin II; UVB, ultraviolet B.