Fig. 9

Effects of QSG on the structure and function of mitochondria in myocardial tissue of HF rats after AMI. a The mitochondria arranged orderly and densely, and were round or oval in the sham group. b The mitochondrial membrane’s structure was complete, and the mitochondrial cristae and matrix are clearly visible and evenly arranged in the sham group. c, d The mitochondrial arrangement was scattered, swelling was obvious, matrix was loose, and cristae was fuzzy with obvious partial fracture in the model group. e–f The mitochondrial arrangement was in order, and swelling of mitochondria was significantly improved, the matrix was relatively uniform, the cristae was clear and the structure was complete in the QSG group. g Myocardial protein expressional levels of PGC-1α and UCP2 in HF model rats. A reduced level of PGC-1α was observed in the model group. After treatment with QSG, cardiac PGC-1α level was observably up-regulated. UCP2 expressional level was significantly increased following HF and downregulated with QSG treatment. n = 4 per group. Values are mean ± SE. Asterisks indicates significant differences. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01