SCE decreases Smad3 expression in heart tissue after MI. (a) RT-qPCR analysis for mRNA expression of Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, Smad7, Msg1, Strap, Smurf1, and Smurf2 in the border area (BA) and remote area (RA) of the infarcted hearts which were excised 7 days, 14 days, and 21days after MI. (b) Immunoblot analysis of Smad3 and Smad7 protein expression in the BA and RA of the infarcted hearts excised 7 days, 14 days, and 21days after MI. Data are from three independent experiments ((a), mean ± SEM) or are representative of three independent experiments with similar results (b). ∗P < 0.05 and ∗∗P < 0.01, ANOVA with LSD t-test.