Figure 3. Dabigatran reduces expression of markers of fibrosis.
Mice were randomized to receive dabigatran etexilate or placebo chow prior to sham or TAC surgery. Sections after TAC surgery were stained for smooth muscle (SM) α-actin (A; red staining). Relative expression of smooth muscle actin (B), collagen III (C), collagen I (D), MMP-9 (E), X, PAR-1 (F) mRNA were measured in LV apex at five weeks after surgery. Expression level of each gene was normalized to 18s ribosomal RNA levels. The fold change is in comparison to values obtained in placebo + sham group, which was set as 1. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM; placebo + sham n= 3; placebo + TAC, n= 7; dabigatran + sham, n=6; dabigatran + TAC, n= 7.