MMP9 and diabetes mellitus: Moreover, after stimulation with AGEs, compared with SMCV without the stimulation, the levels of p‐ERK, p‐p38, p‐JNK, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 proteins were significantly more increased in SMCV but not in SMCA from the both groups (Fig. 4A–D, +AGEs, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 in control and DM, respectively), and this phenomenon was more notable in DM group (P < 0.01 versus control group).