Effects of a Rho kinase inhibitor on pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy and associated diastolic dysfunction.

The RhoA-Rho kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway has an important role in cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of Rho kinase inhibition on pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy (POH) and associated diastolic dysfunction has not been evaluated. This study examined the effect of a selective ROCK inhibitor (GSK-576371) in a POH model, induced by suprarenal abdominal aortic constriction.