Table 1 Studied genes, primer sequences, and PCR conditions

GAPDH

Forward

AGTGCCAGCCTC GTCTCATA

95 °C/10 min, 40 cycles at 95 °C/15s, 58 °C/20s, and 72 °C/30 s

SYBR green Master Mix (10 µl;

2x concentration), Forward primers:

0.8 µl and 10 pmole, Reverse primers:

0.8 µl and 10 pmole, Nuclease-free DEPS Water: 6.4 µl, Template cDNA: 2 µl

Reverse

GAGAAGGCAGCCCTGGTAAC

TGF-β

Forward

TGACATGAACCGACCCTTCC

95 °C/10 min, 40 cycles at 95 °C/15s, 60 °C/20s, and 72 °C/30 s

Reverse

TGCCGTACACAGCAGTTCTT

Apelin

Forward

CTCTGGCTCTCCTTGACTGC

95 °C/10 min, 40 cycles at 95 °C/15 s, 59 °C/20s, and 72 °C/30s

Reverse

TCGAAGTTCTGGGCTTCACC