Leptin Induces Hypertrophy via Endothelin-1–Reactive Oxygen Species Pathway in Cultured Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes

Abstract

These findings indicate that leptin elevates ET-1 and ROS levels, resulting in hypertrophy of cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. The ET-1-ET(A)-ROS pathway may be involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by leptin. ET(A) receptor antagonists and antioxidant therapy may provide an effective means of ameliorating cardiac dysfunction in obese humans.