TNF and Hyperglycemia: Myocardial expression levels of pro-inflammatory genes (NF-ĸB and TNF-α) and the profibrotic gene, TGF-β, were upregulated in DCM controls (NF-ĸB 3.14 ± 0.03; TNF-α 4.81 ± 0.01; TGF-β 5.67 ± 0.04; Figure 6A–C) versus healthy controls, indicative of hyperglycemia-induced low-grade inflammation and fibrosis, and associated with deranged tissue structure, characterized by inter-fiber edema and prominent fibrosis (Figure 6D).