Western blot analysis showed that the expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-12 and intercellular adhesion molecules was increased in hypertensive AAA rats, accompanied by upregulation of NF-κB and ETS.24 However, the association between hypertension and aneurysm seems to be weak and needs further investigation.25,26. This evidence concerns the gene MMP2 and triple-A syndrome.