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Figure 6 Differences in BNP Levels Between Study Groups

At the time of rAAV1.SERCA2a gene transfer, all study animals had comparable levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. The latter were significantly elevated relative to baseline, evidence of a compensated state of volume-overload heart failure. At the term of the study, 2 months after gene transfer, the progressive rise in BNP levels seen in the saline group was not seen in the SERCA2a group. This confirms that SERCA2a overexpression could favor the stabilization of the physiological effects resulting from volume-overload heart failure. Abbreviations as in Figure 1.