Figure 3.

Administration of conditioned medium of human amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC-CM; twice per day for 4 consecutive days after induction of heart failure (HF)) significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis (blue parts in images show collagen synthesis and deposition). a) Sham group did not show any sign of fibrosis. b) An increased collagen synthesis and deposition was found in HF. c and d) administration of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and culture medium did not contribute to reduction of fibrosis. e) A reduced level of fibrosis was observed after administration of MSC-CM twice per day for 4 consecutive days (** P<0. 01 compared to sham; # P<0. 05 compared to HF; HF+PBS, and HF+culture medium, red arrows show collagen synthesis and deposition)