Research Paper Volume 16, Issue 10 pp 8630—8644

Figure 6. Inhibition of HO-1 partially abolished the protective role of neferine in Ang II-induced AF, atrial cell size augmentation, and fibrosis. (A) AF records in each group. (B, C) Average AF incidence and duration induced by burst pacing (n = 10). (D) Representative images of WGA staining of atrial sections illustrating atrial cell size, with the cell area in each group quantified (n = 3, on the right). Scale bar: 50 μm. (E) Measurement of ANP and BNP mRNA levels by qPCR (n = 3, on the right). (F, G) Plasma ANP and BNP levels assessed by Elisa kit (n = 3). (H) Representative images of Masson's trichrome and Sirius Red-stained atrial sections indicating the degree of fibrosis, with the fibrotic area in each group quantified (n = 5, on the right). Scale bar: 50 μm. (I) Western blot analysis of collagen I and III protein expression in the atria, with the corresponding statistical results on the right (n = 3). (J) Measurement of collagen I and III mRNA levels by qPCR (n = 3). Data are presented as mean ± SEM, and n represents the number of samples. Data are presented as mean ± SEM, and n represents the number of samples. *P < 0.05 for the difference compared with the Ang II group; ^#P < 0.05 for the difference compared with the Ang II + neferine group.