Given that the levels of both Timp1 and Timp2 in AAAs have also been shown to be associated with aneurysm formation [34], [35], it is likely that administration of EPA shifted the aortic microenvironment from a pro-proteolytic to an anti-proteolytic milieu by altering the balance between MMP9, MMP2, and TIMP levels. This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and achalasia-alacrima syndrome.