The degree of impairment associated with 28-day infusion of 400 ng/kg/min Ang II was very similar to the degree of endothelial dysfunction produced with either 14 or 28 day infusion of 1000 ng/kg/min Ang II, both of which were associated with increases in IL-6 and vascular macrophage levels. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is endothelial dysfunction.