PPARγ–PI3K/AKT–NO signal pathway is involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by high glucose and insulin

Objective: To investigate the role of the PPAR gamma-PI3K/AlCf-NO signaling pathway in cardiac hypertrophy induced by high glucose and insulin. Methods: Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by high glucose (25.5 mmol/L) and insulin (0.1 mu mol/L) (HGI) was characterized in rat primary cardiomyocytes by measuring the cell surface area, protein content, and atrial natriuretic factor mRNA expression level. Protein and mRNA expressions were measured by Western blotting and real time RT-PCR, respectively. A spectrophotometric assay was used to measure the enzymatic concentration of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and the Griess assay measured the NO concentration. Results: HGI induced significant cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and decreased the expression of PPAR gamma, Ala and eNOS at the mRNA and protein levels, which occurred in parallel with declining eNOS activity and NO concentration (P < 0.05). The effects of HGI were inhibited by rosiglitazone (0.1 mu mol/L), a selective PPAR gamma agonist (P < 0.05). However, GW9662, a selective PPAR gamma antagonist, abolished the effects of rosiglitazone (P < 0.05). LY294002, a PI3K/AKT inhibitor, and N-G-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester, an NOS inhibitor, partially blocked the effects of rosiglitazone (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the PPAR gamma-PI3K/AKT-NO signal transduction pathway might be involved in HGI-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.