Cardiac hypertrophy caused by peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-gamma agonist treatment occurs independently of changes in myocardial insulin signaling.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma ligands are insulin sensitizers, widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A consistent observation in preclinical species is the development of cardiac hypertrophy after short-term treatment with these agents. The mechanisms for this hypertrophy are incompletely understood.

Optical mapping of propagation changes induced by elevated extracellular potassium ion concentration in genetically altered mouse hearts.

Unlabelled: Diabetes is associated with high rates of cardiovascular disease and sudden death. Therefore, dissecting specific mechanisms, such as the effects of impaired insulin signaling on cardiac electrophysiology may lead to better diagnosis and treatment. Lack of insulin receptors in mouse myocytes has been shown to reduce repolarizing potassium currents and prolong action potential duration.