Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the microscopic structural features and myofibril organization of cardiac muscle cells in the orb-web spider T. clavata. There are many myofibrils, many mitochondria, a large sarcoplasmic reticulum, and transverse tubules (T-tubules) in the muscle fibers, even if the myofibril striations may not be as noticeable as in skeletal muscles. Because of their consistent striations, sarcomeres are characterized by Z-lines that are 2.0 μm on average in length and do not clearly distinguish between the A- and I-bands. A single T-tubule paired with a terminal cisterna of the sarcoplasmic reticulum constitutes a dyadic junction, which is primarily located at the A-I level of sarcomeres. Cells are joined by intercalated discs, which create several linkages via specialized junctions such as desmosomes, gap junctions, and fascia adherens—all of which are essential for heart function. Our results with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly show that the contraction of the spider's heart muscle is neurogenically controlled, since each fiber is innervated by a motor neuron branch via neuromuscular junctions. These results highlight the neurogenic process controlling spiders' cardiac muscle contractions and advance our knowledge of the peculiar cardiac muscle structure of these animals.

Patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) during the weekend are less likely to survive to hospital admission than those experiencing OOHCA on weekdays. We aimed to determine whether the survival rates of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) were lower on weekends than on weekdays. We comprehensively reviewed the records of patients who experienced IHCA at CBNUH between 2018 and 2020. A total of 861 IHCAs occurred during the study period; these data included recurrent IHCA cases, as some patients experienced more than one IHCA. Of these, 739 IHCA cases were included in the survival analysis, and the survival rate was 65.2%, which is higher than the rate reported in a previous study. There were no differences in the survival rate between weekdays and weekends. Additionally, the time of day at which IHCA occurred and pre-IHCA intubation status did not affect survival. Patients in wards were less likely to survive than those in intensive care units (60.0% vs. 66.0%). Although pre-IHCA intubation did not show any added value in preventing sudden cardiac arrests, meticulous patient care and monitoring in terms of intra- or extrapulmonary oxygen therapy is needed, as is the promotion of cardio-pulmonary-cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) equipment availability and quick rescuer responses for patients with IHCA. Our findings may be of value in improving CPCR guidelines and monitoring patients at risk of IHCA.

Naturally occurring left ventricular hyperplasia is a rare but lethal disease. There are very few reports of this cardiac disease in captive nonhuman primates. In a colony of Macaca mulatta (Rhesus monkey) at California National Primate Research Center, a large number of rhesus macaques were diagnosed by autopsy with naturally occurring left ventricular hypertrophy without obvious underlying diseases over a 22-year period. The confirmatory diagnosis of ventricular hypertrophy was based on findings of notable left ventricular concentric hypertrophy with reduced left ventricular lumen, which is very similar to human ventricular hypertrophy cases. This report discusses an 11-year-old Macaca fascicularis monkey (Cynomolgus monkey, crab-eating macaque), weighing 2.95 kg, that was presented for enrollment in a pharmacokinetic (PK) study. During the PK experiment, the monkey died following a sudden decrease in percutaneous oxygen saturation and heart rate. Gross and histological examinations of the heart were performed. On gross pathology, the left ventricular wall was thickened, and the chamber lumen was reduced. In histopathological examination using hematoxylin- eosin and Masson-trichrome stains, fibrosis and myocyte disarray were not observed, but an increased cell density, compared to the normal heart, was confirmed. The autopsy results confirmed left ventricular hyperplasia as the major cause of death.

Thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry, is being increasingly utilized in cardiac surgery of late. However, it is an indirect test and is not available in all centers. Low fibrinogen levels before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have been described to be associated with postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery. This study explored the usefulness of reduction ratio of the fibrinogen levels before CPB (preCPB) and after CPB (postCPB) in predicting postoperative hemorrhage. A retrospective, observational study of adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB between February 2014 and January 2016 was conducted, which included a total of 264 patients. The fibrinogen levels were measured twice, preCPB and postCPB, and the fibrinogen reduction ratio was acquired [(preCPB − postCPB)/preCPB]. Postoperative blood loss, which was defined as the blood collected from the chest drain for 12 hours following arrival at the intensive care unit, was considered severe if it was more than 1,000 mL. A multivariate analysis showed that fibrinogen reduction ratio, sex, and postCPB platelet count were significantly associated with severe postoperative bleeding. However, the pre- and postCPB fibrinogen levels were not significantly associated with severe bleeding. Furthermore, a fibrinogen reduction ratio of > 41.3% was independently associated with postoperative severe bleeding, with an odds ratio of 3.472 (1.483–8.162). These results suggest that the reduction ratio of pre- and postCPB fibrinogen levels may be utilized in predicting postoperative bleeding.

이 연구는 비만이 심장 조직에서 자가포식 관련 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향을 확인하기 위해 고지방 식이(20주)를 통해 비만을 유도한 후 8주간의 트레드밀 운동을 실시하고, 자가포식의 유도, 형성 그리고 자가포식포와 라이소좀 융합단계를 조절하는 단백질의 발현을 확인하였다. 실험동물(SD rat)은 20주 간의 고지방식이(탄수화물: 20%, 지방: 60%, 단백질: 20%)를 통해 비만을 유도하였으며, 8주간의 트레드 밀 운동(주 5일, 하루 30분, 5분; 8m/min, 5분; 11m/min, 20분; 14m/min)을 실시하였다. 집단 구분은 정상식이 비교군(n=10), 고지방식이 비교군(n=10), 고지방식이 운동군(n=10)으로 구분하였다. 8주간의 트레드밀 운동 실시 전과 후에 경구당부하검사를 실시하여 곡선하 면적(area under the curve; AUC)을 산출 하였으며, 공복시 인슐린 농도와 포도당 농도를 통해 인슐린 저항성 지표인 HOMA-IR과 체중 당 복부지 방량(abdominal visceral fat/Body weight; AVF/BW)를 산출하여 비교하였다. 또한 심장 조직에서 자가포식 관련 단백질을 분석하여 운동 트레이닝의 효과를 검증하였다. 장기간의 고지방식이를 통해 HFD-CON 그룹에서는 비만이 유도되었으며, ND-CON 그룹에 비해 체중, AUC, HOMA-IR, AVF/BW가 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 하지만 8주간의 트레드밀 운동을 실시한 HFD-TE 그룹에서는 AUC, HOMA-IR, AVF/BW가 개선되는 것으로 나타났다. 체중의 경우, 감소되는 경향은 있었지만, 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다. 자가포식 유도에 관여하는 mTOR와 AMPK는 비만상황에서 모두 감소되었지만, 운동을 통해 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 자가포식 형성에 관련된 Beclin-1, BNIP3, ATG-7, p62, LC3는 비만상황에서 모두 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며, 운동을 통해 감소되는 것으로 나타났다. 자기포식포와 라이소좀 융합단계 조절하는 Cathepsin L과 LAMP2는 비만상황에서 모두 감소되었으며, 운동을 통해 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 트레드밀 운동과 같은 신체활동은 대사성 질환에서 나타나는 병리학적 현상을 개선하고 자가포식 과정을 정상적으로 유도하는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 트레드밀 운동이 심장 관련 질환의 예방 및 치료에 있어 일차적으로 고려해야할 필요성이 있다고 제안한다.

본 연구는 담배흡연자에서 비만과 심장자율신경조절의 관련성 규명을 목적으로 수행되었다. 의료기록 및 외관상 건강한 총 85명의 남자 대학생 흡연자들을 대상으로 자료를 수집하였으며, 모든 참가자들의 안정 시 심장자율신경조절 평가를 위해 단기간 표준프로토콜에 따른 심박변이도(heart rate variability, HRV) 지표들을 산출하였다. 한편 체질량지수, 체지방률, 허리둘레 및 허리/엉덩이 둘레비는 표준 비만지표로서 활용되었다. 연구결과 허리/엉덩이 둘레비를 기준으로 분류된 상위집단은 하위집단에 비해 부교감신경활동을 반영하는 HRV의 rMSSD, pNN50, HF 및 SD1에서 유의하게 낮은 값을 나타내었다. 그러나 HRV의 교감신경활동지수 LF/HF에서는 집단 간 통계적 차이가 없었다. 또한 상관분석 결과 시간, 주파수 및 비선형영역의 HRV 부교감신경 지수들이 체질량지수와 관련하지 않는 반면 허리둘레, 허리/ 엉덩이 둘레비 및 체지방률과 같은 비만지표들과는 유의한 상관관계를 나타내었다. 특히 허리둘레와 체지 방률에 비해 허리/엉덩이 둘레비가 부교감신경활동과 더 밀접하게 관련하는 경향을 나타냈다. 이상의 결과 들은 남자 대학생 흡연자들에서 전반적인 비만도를 반영하는 체질량지수와는 독립적으로 중심부 비만이 심장부교감신경 저하와 관련하는 주된 상관 요인임을 뒷받침한다.

K+ channels are key components of the primary and secondary basolateral Cl- pump systems, which are important for secretion from the salivary glands. Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for psychiatric disorders that can induce QT prolongation, which may lead to torsades de pointes. We studied the effects of paroxetine on a human K+ channel, human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG), expressed in Xenopus oocytes and on action potential in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The hERG encodes the pore-forming subunits of the rapidly-activating delayed rectifier K+ channel (IKr) in the heart. Mutations in hERG reduce IKr and cause type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2), a disorder that predisposes individuals to lifethreatening arrhythmias. Paroxetine induced concentrationdependent decreases in the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and time-dependent, but voltageindependent during each voltage pulse. In guinea pig ventricular myocytes held at 36℃, treatment with 0.4 μM paroxetine for 5 min decreased the action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD90) by 4.3%. Our results suggest that paroxetine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the arrhythmogenic side effects of clinical administration of paroxetine.

Breast cancer is of enormous concern worldwide and linked with age, sex, hormonal factors, and family history. The treatment of early breast cancer includes treating the disease locally with surgery, radiation therapy, or both and treating microscopic systemic disease with either one or a combination of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or biologic therapy. Doxorubicin is a well-known anthracycline antibiotic and antineoplastic drug usually administered to breast cancer patients. However, there have been some reports suggesting that doxorubicin causes side effects such as cardiotoxicity. Furthermore, breast cancer patients on doxorubicin treatment are commonly prescribed steroid suppression therapy. In addition, it has been previously reported that lack of estrogen elevates cardiotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated whether the steroid suppression therapy might influence the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin. We hypothesized that the presence of a steroid hormone, particularly estrogen, is closely related to doxorubicin action. To investigate the effect of estrogen, mice were divided into four groups: control group, doxorubicin-treated group, ovariectomized group, and ovariectomized plus doxorubicin-treated group. We observed upregulation of inflammatory cytokine gene and downregulation of apoptotic genes in the groups treated with doxorubicin, particularly in the ovariectomized plus doxorubicin-treated group. This suggests that administration of doxorubicin under a non-steroid condition can excessively damage the heart. In summary, combination treatment of hormonal and doxorubicin therapy for breast or many different types of cancer patients must be prescribed with requisite precautions.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of repeated simulation and role rotation in a cardiac arrest simulation on learning immersion, learning confidence, and simulation satisfaction. Methods: This study was the descriptive survey and 199 nursing students completed a cardiac arrest simulation-based education program developed by the researcher. Participants repeated the simulation 3 times. Data were analyzed using time series, ANOVA, t-test with SPSS 21.0 program. Results: Over than 2 times was effective frequency of repetition of simulation. There were no differences in learning immersion, learning confidence and satisfaction after simulation due to rotation. Additionally, there were no differences in satisfaction after simulation. However, participants in the lead nursing role in simulation had less learning immersion and learning confidence compared to those not in the lead role. Conclusion: The results indicate that repeted use of the cardiac arrest simulation improved clinical practice; however, role rotation did not impact learning immersion or learning confidence. Even though there was no effect of role rotation, the results did indicate that experience as a leader in simulation is associated with less learning immersion and confidence. These results suggest the need to carefully debrief the lead nursing student. Further, in order to prevent nursing instructor burn-out and encourage participation of students in learning, future work should examine increased repetition frequency.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-intensity cardiac rehabilitation exercise on the cardiac function and the degree of fibrosis in an older white rat model. This study used male Sprague- Dawley white rats that were 50 weeks old. After the acute myocardial infarction induction, Twenty of the rats were randomly allocated into an experimental group and a control group, and each of the groups consisted of 8 rats. In the experimental group, the exercise was conducted for six weeks, 30 minutes a day, five days a week, using a Rotarod treadmill for animals. The degree of myocardial fibrosis was significantly repressed in the experimental group(13.69±1.90%) and in the control group(15.67±1.54%)(p<0.05). However, fractional shortening and ejection fraction did not show a significant difference. The results of this study suggest that cardiac rehabilitation with low intensity treadmill exercise repress the myocardial fibrosis.

The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of Low intensity cardiac rehabilitation, using a treadmill, on the myocardial structure. We identified the effects by analyzing changes in the rats' weights and the results of biopsies. Twenty Sprague-Dawley male rats, 50 weeks old, were randomly divided into the exercise group and the control group. myocardial infarction( MI) was induced by ligaturing their left anterior descending artery. After the acute MI induction, two rats of each group began to fall dead, therefore, eight of each group completed at the end of the experiment. We used treadmills for animals for the exercise group. This exercise group performed 30 minutes of exercise five times per week for six weeks, while the control group did not perform any exercise. No statistically significant differences in weight were found in within group comparison and between group comparison. Furthermore, we observed histological changes in the myocardium using Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson's trichrome staining in both groups. Low-intensity exercise inhibited myocardial fibrosis, may serve as a reference in the cardiopulmonary field, which plays a role in rehabilitating patients with cardiac disorders, including acute MI.

목 적 : 심장 MRI검사에서 cardiac infarct volume은 심장의 생존력 평가에 중요한 요소이다. 하지만 cardiac infarct volume의 측정값은 검사기법과 측정 방법에 따라 오차가 발생한다. 이에 본 논문에서는 2D IR-TFE와 2D PSIR의 두 가지 검사기법에서 cardiac infarct volume의 측정에 사용되는 Semi automatic 방법과 Manual 방법을 FWHM(Full Width at Half Maximum) 방법과 비교하여 cardiac infarct volume 측정에 보다 유용한 방법을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 2014년 4월부터 11월까지 Cardiac infarct이 있는 환자 30명(남성 21명, 여성 9명, 평균연령 53세)을 대상으로 하였다. 사용된 장비는 Philips Achieva 3.0T TX 장비이고, 신호 수집은 SENSE Cardiac 32ch 코일을 이용하였으며, 사용된 검사기법은 2D IR-TFE와 2D PSIR이다. 영상변수는 2D IR-TFE에서 TR 4.59ms, TE 1.44ms, TI 240~280ms, FA 15°, FOV 320cm2, Matrix 312×250과 2D PSIR에서는 TR 6.18ms, TE 3ms, TI 240~280ms, FA 25°, FOV 320cm2, Matrix 256×190을 사용하여 short axis를 Breathhold기법으로 검사하였고, 획득한 영상을 FWHM 방법, Semi automatic 방법, Manual 방법으로 cardiac infarct volume을 측정하였다. 먼저, FWHM 방법으로 측정한 cardiac infarct volume 값이 2D IR-TFE와 2D PSIR기법 간에 차이가 있는지 대응표본 T-검정을 통해 통계적 유의성 평가 후, 각 검사기법의 FWHM(infarct myocardium SI×0.5) 방법을 기준으로 Semi automatic 방법(mean of normal myocardium SI+6SD)과 검사자가 직접 cardiac infarct volume을 구하는 Manual 방법을 Bland-Altman plot을 이용하여 측정 방법에 대해 비교ㆍ분석하였다. 결 과 : 2D IR-TFE기법에서 cardiac infarct volume의 측정값(mean±SD)은 FWHM 방법 33.8±35.81, Semi automatic 방법 35.83±38.00, Manual 방법 28.41±34.96으로 측정되었고, 2D PSIR기법에서 cardiac infarct volume 측정값은 FWHM 방법 33.56±35.80, Semi automatic 방법 32.04±38.39, Manual 방법 25.41±34.00으로 측정되었다. FWHM 방법에서 2D IR-TFE기법과 2D PSIR 기법을 비교한 결과 통계적 유의성을 보이지 않아 검사기법 간에 통계적 차이가 없었다(p=0.0959). FWHM 방법에서 2D IR-TFE 기법과 2D PSIR 기법을 비교한 결과 통계적 유의성을 보이지 않아 검사기법 간에 통계적 차이가 없었다(p=0.0959). Bland-Altman plot을 이용한 비교 분석에서 2D IR-TFE 기법의 FWHM 방법과 Semi automatic 방법을 비교하였을 때 difference 95% CI값이 0.03~4.04 으로 두 방법에 대한 차이가 유의하였고, FWHM 방법과 Manual 방법의 비교에서 difference 95% CI값 또한 3.87~6.90으로 차이가 유의하였다. 또한 Semi automatic 방법과 Manual 방법의 비교에서 difference 95% CI값 또한 5.34~9.49으로 차이가 유의하였다. 2D PSIR 기법의 FWHM 방법과 Semi-automatic 방법에서 difference 95% CI값은 -1.31.~4.33으로 두 측정 방법에 대한 차이가 유의하지 않았고, FWHM 방법과 Manual 방법의 비교에서는 difference 95% CI값이 5.61~10.68으로 유의한 차이를 보였다. 또한 Semi automatic 방법과 Manual 방법의 비교에서는 difference 95% CI값이 3.97~9.28으로 유의한 차이를 보였다.

목 적 : 초음파를 이용한 심장 혈류의 정량적 측정은 관측자의 숙련도에 의해 평가결과가 변화할 수 있는 문제가 있다. 이를 보완하기 위해 자기공명 영상 장치의 위상 대조도 자기공명 영상 기법을 통한 심장 혈류의 정량적 측정이 많이 이용되고 있다. 하지만 아직까지 고자기장(3.0T) 자기공명 영상 장치와 저자기장(1.5T) 자기공명 영상 장치의 측정 오차에 대한 기준이 표준화 되어 있지 않다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 자기장에 따른 심장 혈류의 측정값을 비교하여 분석하고 이에 대한 해결책을 제시하여 검사의 정확성을 향상시키고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 심혈관계 질환이 없는 정상의 남자 지원자 15명(평균연령: 35.4±4.10세)을 대상으로 심장 혈류 평가를 실시하였다. 장비는 초음파 Philips IU-21을 이용하여 심장 상행 대동맥의 최대 혈류속도와 평균 혈류량을 측정 하였으며, 자기공명 영상 장치는 GE Signa HDxt 3.0T/1.5T(GE Medical System Milwaikee, Wisconsin, USA)와 8channel cardiac array 코일을 사용하였다. 2D 자기공명 위상 대조도 영상은 상행 대동맥의 S-T juction과 Aortic valve LV에서 각각 시행하였다. 자기장의 세기에 의한 심장혈류의 차이를 비교하기 위해 1.5T와 3.0T 모두에서 shim을 사용하지 않고(NO shim) 검사를 시행하였으며, shimming에 의한 심장 혈류 차이를 평가하기 위해 각각 Auto shim, Local shim, 그리고 두 가지 shim(auto + local: All shim)을 모두 사용한 상태에서 각각 검사를 시행하였다. 결과 분석은 SPSS 20.0을 이용하여 대응표본 검정(Wilcoxon signed-Rank test), 다중회귀분석, 일원분산분석(ANOVA)을 실시하였다. 유의 수준은 0.05미만으로 하였다. 결 과 : 각각 1.5T와 3.0T에서 얻은 혈류 측정값은 서로 유의한 차이를 보였으며(LV AF: z=-3.409, p=0.001 / AA AF: z=-3.239, p=0.001), NO shim LV 1.5T의 혈류 측정값이 초음파의 혈류 측정값과 가장 높은 상관 관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다(t=5.827, p=0.000). 3.0T의 혈류 측정값은 shim을 사용했을 때 NO shim LV 1.5T와 비교해 유의한 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 결 론 : 자기공명 영상 장치를 이용한 심장 혈류 평가에 있어서 자기장이 높은 3.0T에서 측정한 혈류값은 자기장이 낮은 1.5T에서 측정한 결과와 차이가 발생할 수 있다. 따라서 자기공명 영상 장치를 이용한 심장 혈류의 평가는 저자기장(1.5T) 자기공명 영상장치를 사용하거나 자기장이 높은 자기공명 영상장치를 사용할 경우 정확한 혈류 평가를 위해 반드시 shimming을 통해 자기장의 균일도를 개선해야 한다

A tremendous increase in the human population has put poultry industry under an increased pressure to meet steep increase in the demand. Poultry is contributing 25% of the total world’s meat production and lesser cost of investment per bird makes it more suitable for the further breeding programmes. Major poultry diseases frequently lead to cardiac damage and cause huge economic losses to poultry industry due to mortality. The in vitro embryonic stem cell (ESC) technology has a futuristic approach for homogeneous populace of differentiated cells, for their further transplantations. During in vitro conditions the differentiated cell populace can be used in grafting and transplantation processes to regenerate damaged tissues. Therefore, the current study targeted the use of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in the poultry production system through cardiac regeneration. The current study will also open new boulevard for the similar kind of research in other livestock species for the management of heart diseases.

Although various animals have been used as models of cardiac valvular diseases in humans, the structural characteristics of cardiac valves in animals remain unclear. In this study, we investigated cardiac valves in representative animal models for the purpose of comparative anatomy. Adult hearts from three dogs, four goats, six rabbits, and six fowls were fixed with 10% neutral-buffered formalin and analyzed gross-anatomically. Cardiac appearance was spherical or oval in dogs, goats, and rabbits, whereas it had a long conical shape in fowls. Left atrioventricular (AV) valve was composed of membranous septal and parietal cusps connected to two papillary muscles in all animals. The right AV valve was composed of membranous septal, parietal, and angular cusps with three papillary muscles in dogs and goats, membranous septal and parietal cusps attached to four papillary muscles in rabbits, and a single muscular plate without any papillary muscles and chorda tendinae in fowls. Aortic valves with thin membranous right, left, and septal semilunar cusps in dogs, goats, and rabbits had a thick membrane with a bended free border in fowls. Pulmonary valve (PV) with membranous right, left, and intermediate semilunar cusps made a large central hole by being closely attached to the surrounding wall in dogs, goats, and rabbits, whereas it protruded into half of the lumen as a thick membrane in fowls. The membranous cusp of the PV was composed of several layers in dogs and goats but was a single layer in rabbits and fowls. These findings indicate that even if animals have two completely separated atria and ventricles each, cardiac valves have species-specific morphological characteristics, especially between mammals and fowls.

JAZF1 (Juxtaposed with Another Zinc Finger gene 1) transcription factor are Zn-finger proteins that bind to the nuclear orphan receptor TAK/TR4 (Nakajima et al., 2004). The nuclear orphan receptor TAK1/TR4 functions as a positive as well as a negative regulator of transcription. It was recently reported that congenital cardiovascular malformations are significantly more frequent in Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) patients with microdeletion syndrome than in those with classical NF1. JAZF1 was expressed in adult heart of patients with microdeletion syndrome. JAZF1 is highly conserved among various species include zebrafish. We hypothesized that the expression of zebrafish Jazf1 may lead to severe forms of congenital heart disease that allow the survival of newborns and adults. In this study, we created Jazf1 transgenic zebrafish which over-express zebrafish Jazf1 cDNA under control of the CMV promoter. Our results suggested that Jazf1 expression may play an important role in zebrafish cardiac development.

To explore the role of histone deactylase (HDAC) activation in an in vivo model of hypertrophy, we studied the effects of Trichostatin A (TSA). TSA subjected to thoracic aortic banding (TAB)-induced pressure stress in mice. In histological observations, TAB in treated mice showed a significant hypertrophic response, whereas the sham operation remained nearly normal structure with partially blunted hypertrophy. TSA treatment had no effect (measured as HW/BW) on sham-operated animals. TAB animals treated with vehicle manifested a robust ～50% hypertrophic response (p<0.05 vs sham). TAB mice treated with 2 mg/kg/day TSA manifested a blunted growth responses, which was significantly diminished (p<0.05) compared with vehicle-treated TAB mice. TAB mice treated with a lower dose of TSA (0.5 mg/kg/day) manifested a similar blunting of hypertrophic growth (～25% increase in heart mass). Furthermore, to determine activity duration of TSA in vitro, 1 nM TSA was added to H9c2 cells. Histone acetylation was initiated at 4 hr after treatment, and it was peak up to 18 hr, then followed by significantly reduced to 30 hr. We also analyzed the expression of p53 following TSA treatment, wherein p53 expression was elevated at 4 hr, and it was maintained to 24 hr after treatment. ERK was activated at 8 hr, and maintained till 30 hr after treatment suggesting an intracellular signaling interaction between TSA and p53 expression. Taken together, it is suggested that HDAC activation is required for pressure-overload growth of the heart. Eventually, these data suggest that histone acetylation may be a novel target for therapeutic intervention in pressure-overloaded cardiac hypertrophy.