Abstract
While the expression patterns of cardiac hypertrophy‐related genes have been well documented and widely used as markers for hypertrophy, recent research has revealed uncoupling of hypertrophy‐related gene profiles and hypertrophic growth. The role of β‐adrenergic signalling in the development of hypertrophy is incompletely understood. The finding of an upregulated expression of hypertrophy‐related genes but a suppressed hypertrophy following β‐blockade reveals previously unrecognized sympatho‐adrenergic mechanisms of hypertrophic growth.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 169–171; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707353