IMD administration also attenuated cardiac fibrosis induced by fructose-drinking in rats, as shown by a decreased cardiac interstitial and perivascular fibrosis area and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of pro-fibrotic gene collagen type I alpha 1 chain (Col1a1) and collagen type III alpha 1 chain (Col3a1) (Figure 1C–E). Here, COL1A1 is linked to fibrosis.