In a SD rat model of DCM induced by STZ, Zhang et al. confirmed that astragaloside IV (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/d) treatment for 16 weeks can improve mitochondrial biogenesis by upregulating the expression of PGC-1α and Nrf-1 in myocardial tissue, as well as PGC-1α and Nrf-1 mRNA expression in H9C2 cells. This evidence concerns the gene PPARGC1A and familial dilated cardiomyopathy.