a, b The inflammatory markers PAI-1, TNF-α, NF-κB, and ICAM-1 were assessed by Western blotting; n = 3 per group. c, d The fibrosis markers CTGF, α-SMA, and TGF-β were assessed by Western blotting; n = 3 per group. e The fibrosis markers collagen I-α1, collagen III-α1, Fn1, and Ctgf were assessed by qRT-PCR; n = 4 per group. f The cardiomyocyte hypertrophy markers Nppa and Myh7 were assessed by qRT-PCR; n = 4 per group. NAC, N-acetylcysteine; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs Control. #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001 versus AGEs+DMSO group. Each panel shows the normalized mean ± SD.