BECN1 and diabetic cardiomyopathy: Interestingly, apoptosis was also reduced in Beclin 1+/− mice, as measured by the TUNEL assay.186 Further study showed that Beclin 1 could interact with Bcl-xL,187 which regulates Bax activity and apoptosis.188 This inconsistency was also present in diabetic cardiomyopathy.