VCAM1 and chronic kidney disease: Gene expression analysis of the aorta showed significantly reduced mRNA levels of Ccl2, Cox2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, Ptgs2), interleukin 6 (Il6), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (Vcam1) in the Ade and Ade + IMC groups compared to those of the Con and Con + IMC groups (Fig. 3d), suggesting decreased inflammation in the aortas of mice of the former groups, despite induction of CKD.