Figure 5.

MMP-2 protein expression and gelatinolytic activity significantly increased in the hypertrophic LV of HT hamsters: (A) MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression. Representative immunoblots (top) and the densitometric analysis (bottom) of the bands intensities, expressed as AU; (B) Gelatin zymography indicating an increased proteolytic activity of MMP-2 in HT hamsters. β-Actin was used as protein loading control. n: 3–4 hamsters in each group. *p<0.05 vs. [C] group. AU: Arbitrary units; [C]: Control; HT: Hypertensive; LV: Left ventricle; MMP: Matrix metalloproteinase