The possible role of MMP9 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in HFD fed rats through investigating the effect of induction of atherosclerosis on MMP-9 gene expression in aortic strips and the correlation of MMP-9 to dyslipidaemia and inflammatory markers, as well as its correlation to bone turnover markers, as a proposed link between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. Here, MMP9 is linked to osteoporosis.