Using this method the authors demonstrated an increased R1 relaxation rate during atherosclerosis progression25 in the brachiocephalic artery and in NOS3−/− mice after arterial denudation,26 while lower contrast agent accumulation was observed in wild‐type and in mice treated with statins, minocycline (an antibiotic), and ebselen (a glutathione peroxidase mimetic that has been shown to decrease atherosclerotic burden in several animal models).24, 25, 26. This evidence concerns the gene NOS3 and atherosclerosis.