Fig. 8.

Representative scheme depicting the possible mechanisms of oestrogen receptor β/Notch1 signalling in protection against myocardial infarction injury. Direct oestrogen receptor β stimulation by 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN) promotes the expression of intracellular domain of Notch1 (NICD) and protects the heart against oxidative stress, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac fibrosis. PI3K/Akt signalling is the downstream effector of this protective action. Notch1 signalling inhibitor N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) significantly attenuated the cardioprotective action of oestrogen receptor β