Comparison of the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes. The number of TUNEL-labeled cardiomyocytes was significantly smaller in the IL-11 group than the control (0.8±0.3 vs. 3.7±0.7/mm2, 5 rats each, P=0.0002). Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation. *, P<0.05 by unpaired t-test. IL-11, interleukin-11; TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling.