Aldosterone Directly Induces Myocyte Apoptosis Through Calcineurin-Dependent Pathways

Abstract

The present study demonstrates for the first time that the specific plasma membrane receptor (coupled with phospholipase C) for aldosterone is present on cardiac myocytes and that aldosterone accelerates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through activation of calcineurin and dephosphorylation of Bad, suggesting that the proapoptotic action of aldosterone may directly contribute to the progression of heart failure.