CASP3 and ischemia: Furthermore, gene expression and protein level of caspase-3 and apoptotic gene Bax were detected via qPCR and western blot in CMs after 6 h of ischemia followed by 16 h of reperfusion in comparison to respective normoxia (control) at gene expression (1.61 ± 0.38 vs. 1.0, p < 0.01) and (1.36 ± 0.22 vs. 1.0, p < 0.05), as well as protein level was (3.06 ± 1.05 vs. 1.0, p < 0.001) and (4.19 ± 1.2 vs. 1.0, p < 0.001) respectively (Fig. 3D-F).