Fig. 4.

VEGF-B overexpression abolished the cardioprotective effect of Mel on DCM. A Representative images of echocardiography in mice. B Values of EF and FS, n = 6. C CK-MB release in serum, n = 6. D Ratio of heart weight to tibia length, n = 6. E Myocardial tissues were stained with H&E (scale bar = 50 μm), WGA (scale bar = 50 μm), Masson (scale bar = 100 μm) and Sirius red (scale bar = 50 μm). F Size of myocardial cells were assessed by staining with WGA, n = 8. G The mRNA expression of Myhc, n = 6. H Calcein-AM/PI double staining in NRVMs (scale bar = 200 μm). I Quantification of PI-positive cells, n = 5. J Autophagic flux in NRVMs (scale bar = 10 µm). Data were expressed as the mean ± SD.*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001. One-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey’s test