Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Is a Critical Regulator of Cardiac Hypertrophy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Evidence exists that protein kinase C and the mammalian target of rapamycin are important regulators of cardiac hypertrophy. We examined the contribution of these signaling kinases to cardiac growth in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Systolic blood pressure was increased (PPPPPPP<0.001) systolic blood pressure versus untreated SHRs (213±8 versus 189±6 mm Hg). Atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, and cardiac function were unchanged between SHRs treated with rapamycin or vehicle. These data show that mammalian target of rapamycin is required for the development of cardiac hypertrophy evoked by rising blood pressure in SHRs.