Fig. 6.

DNase I intravenous injection ameliorates AF-induced atrial fibrosis. a, b In vivo DNase I abrogated AF-related upregulation of cit-H3 (n = 3). Cit-H3 in left atrium of rats with or without pharmacal induction of AF and DNase I injection was compared through WB. c, d In vivo DNase I ameliorated AF-related fibrosis (n = 5). Fibrotic area of rat left atrium was analyzed with Masson’s Trichrome staining. Blue area was defined as the fibrotic, red area was defined as normal myocardium. Scale bar: 50 μm. e, f Analysis of Collagen I, p-p38 and p-smad2 in left atrium of rat with or without pharmacal induction of AF and DNase I injection determined through WB (n = 3). g In vivo DNase I ameliorate the prolonged AF duration by continual pharmacal induction of AF (n = 5). AF induced by Ach-CaCl₂ in rats with or without continual pharmacal induction of AF and DNase I injection was recorded by ECG and AF duration was documented. h, i In vivo upregulated autophagy by pharmacal induction of AF could be partly compromised by DNase I injection (n = 3). Analysis of p62 and LC3B II/I ratio in the left atrium of rat with or without pharmacal induction of AF and DNase I injection determined through WB. ECG, electrocardiograph. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. Data were presented as mean ± SD