In addition, compared with the normal control rats, the T2DM rats showed increased cardiac expression levels of α-SMA, while the MSC treatment significantly attenuated these changes (Fig. 6d–f), indicating that MSC treatment attenuated T2DM-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. The gene discussed is ACTA1; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.