MMP3 and atrial fibrillation: MMP-3 production was significantly increased in the AF with E2 treatment (1.1 ± 0.03-fold, p < 0.01), particularly in the pericellular region and in the translamellar bridging network, but decreased with LMHFV and E2 + LMHFV in combination, when compared to the control group (about 0.93 ± 0.03-fold, p < 0.05; Figure 7D).