Fig. 6

Folic acid (FA) attenuated the development of cerebral aneurysms. a Methionine (MET)-only (n = 32) and MET + FA-treated rats (n = 17). FA lowered the total rupture rate observed at 12 weeks after aneurysmal induction. *p < 0.05 vs MET-only rats by Fisher’s exact probability test. b The total rates of stage 2 and stage 3 aneurysmal wall changes and of rupture were significantly lower in MET + FA than in MET-only rats (18 vs 58 %, *p < 0.01 vs MET-only rats by Fisher’s exact probability test). c, d FA decreased the expression of MMP-9 and of the MMP-9 to TIMP2 ratio. *p < 0.05 vs MET-only rats by Student’s t test