MMP2 and atherosclerosis: Figure 8A shows that the Mmp2 mRNA expression in the aorta of the HFD-fed mice was slightly higher than that in the aorta of the ND-fed mice, but this increase was not affected by RS administration. In contrast, as shown in Figure 8B, the Mmp9 mRNA expression tended to be higher in the aorta of HFD-fed mice than that in the aorta of the ND-fed mice, and this increase was significantly suppressed (p < 0.05) with RS administration. These results suggest that RS prevents atherosclerosis by suppressing MMP-9 production in ApoE−/− mice.