CCN2 and diabetes mellitus: In the present study, LVWI, BNP, CK-MB and CVF levels, as well as TGF-β1 and CTGF mRNA and protein expression levels, were significantly higher in the diabetic group when compared with the control group, indicating that the increase in TGF-β1 and CTGF expression levels in the DM rats was closely associated with myocardial remodeling.