AIM: To study the inhibitory effect of pioglitazone on cultured hypertrophic ventricular myocyte induced by high glucose and norepinephrine (NE). METHODS: Using cultured ventricular myocytes as a model, the protein contentss was assayed with Lowry’s method, the protein synthesis was assayed with[ 3H] leucine intake method, the cardiomyocytes’ volumes were measured by computer photograph analysis system, and the cellular hypertrophy was observed. The contracting frequency was counted by the inverted microsco...