AGT and Aortic dissection: In our previous study of db/db mice subjected to RAS, we found that angiotensin I production is elevated in both db/db and WT mice, but returns to baseline levels by 6 weeks following surgery (Hartono et al., 2014), making it unlikely that differences in blood pressure or angiotensin II production are responsible for the development of aortic dissection in db/db mice.