MMP9 and metabolic syndrome: In the present study, LDLr -/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HL group) exhibited severe mixed dyslipidemia, with reduced HDLc levels, insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia, LVH, and increased collagen deposit in the extracellular matrix with increased expression of metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9), associated with the activation of the CD40L pathway in the myocardium and arterial hypertension.