STAT3 and persistent truncus arteriosus: The protein expression of β-MHC, BNP, GP130, p-ERK1/2, p-AKT, and p-STAT3 was significantly up-regulated in TAC mice treated with PBS (n = 6, P < 0.01 vs sham mice), and the increased protein levels were significantly decreased in TAC mice receiving HHP-EXO (n = 6, P < 0.01 vs PBS), while only β-MHC, GP130, and p-STAT3 were decreased in TAC mice treated with CON-EXO (n = 6, P < 0.05) (Fig. 5).