Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase ablated the formation of aortic dissection by suppressing vascular inflammation and phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells

•Reduced expression of p-AMPKα existed in the aortic tissues from AD patients.•The activation of AMPKα abated the formation of AD in vivo.•The activation of AMPKα suppressed phenotypic switching of VSMCs.•The activation of AMPKα ameliorated the infiltration and activation of macrophages.