MAPK1 and Myocardial fibrosis: MAPK1, also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), is mainly involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, oxidative stress, and other physiological functions, with previous studies showing that inhibition of MAPK1 protein expression could improve myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats and reduce HG-induced myocardial damage [44].