In terms of apoptosis-related indicators, the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax was significantly higher in the DCM group compared to the normal group (Fig. 4D, p < 0.0001), while the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression was significantly reduced (Fig. 4E, p < 0.01), leading to an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Here, BAX is linked to familial dilated cardiomyopathy.