LiCl or atorvastatin could significantly reduce in vivo MMP-2/9 activity in the aortic arch but not in the ligated area of the CCA, reflecting that the model has two types of vascular pathology: ApoE deletion and high fat diet-induced primary atherosclerosis vs. flow disturbance-mediated accelerated vascular remodeling. The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is atherosclerosis.