Nevertheless, the above cardioprotective effects of PTA were largely abrogated by the use of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) specific inhibitor ML385 in TAC-treated mice or Nrf2 siRNA in angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCMs). This evidence concerns the gene AGT and persistent truncus arteriosus.