“…The present study evaluated two specific features of myocardial remodeling in rat heart, interstitial fibrosis and Cx43 modifications, as a consequence of exposure to IFS (120 dB, < 20 Hz) and validated our initial hypothesis that exposure to different periods of high-intensity IFS can lead to structural atrial remodeling. These results are consistent with those of past investigations from our group, also in Wistar rats (Oliveira et al, 2005;Oliveira et al, 2012;Oliveira et al, 2013;Antunes et al, 2013a;Lousinha et al, 2015;Antunes et al, 2013b;Antunes et al, 2013c;Antunes et al, 2013d;Lousinha et al, 2018), confirming the abnormal proliferation of connective tissue as the main morphological change induced by LFN exposure. In our study, Cx43 also appears to undergo age-dependent loss, as lower concentrations were found among ≥22 weeks-old controls compared to younger rats (16 weeks-old), a result that comes in agreement with previously reported data from Watanabe et al (Watanabe et al, 2004).…”