Our findings suggest that this beneficial effect of PPS was mediated through a reduction in ADAMTS4 versicanase activity, based on the following main findings: 1) increased ADAMTS4 expression and altered ADAMTS-induced versican degradation during heart failure development, 2) inflammation-induced ADAMTS4 and versican synthesis in cardiac cells, and 3) improved contractile performance accompanied by indications of reduced ADAMTS4 versicanase activity in AB-rats receiving PPS. This evidence concerns the gene VCAN and heart failure.