The impact of social isolation and chronic mild stress (CMS) on connexin43 (Cx43) and connexin45 (Cx45) expression in the left ventricle. Expression levels of Cx43 (A) and Cx45 (B) were determined by Western blot and normalized to the GAPDH loading control. In addition, the ratio of Cx43/Cx45 (C) was determined after normalization of Cx43 and Cx45 to GAPDH. Data are represented as the mean and standard error of the mean (SEM) for each group relative to control (paired). Quantification (mean ± SEM) of Cx43 and Cx45 expression for paired (P, n=8), paired + CMS (P+CMS, n=9), isolated (I, n=9), and isolated + CMS (I+CMS, n=9). Statistical symbol indicates the value is significantly different (P< 0.05, using 2-factor, independent groups ANOVA and Student’s t-tests with a Bonferroni correction) from: * = paired group; ^ = isolated group.