['Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. PPARgamma mRNA is present in cardiac myocytes; however, whether PPARgamma affects cardiac hypertrophy remains unknown.', 'We investigated the effects of PPARgamma activators on cardiac hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Cyclic 4% biaxial mechanical strain caused enlargement of cardiac myocytes (1.3-fold versus control, P<0.0001), but the PPARgamma activators troglitazone and 15-deoxy-Delta(12-14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) (10 micromol/L) inhibited this effect (troglitazone, -72%, P<0.0005; 15d-PGJ(2), -88%, P<0.0002). Total cell protein was increased by mechanical strain (control, 164.3 microgram/dish; strain, 265.5, P<0.0002), and this effect was inhibited by troglitazone and 15d-PGJ(2) (troglitazone, -61%, P<0.005; 15d-PGJ(2), -72%, P<0.001). [(3)H]Leucine uptake was also increased by mechanical strain (1.9-fold versus control, P<0.002), and this increase was inhibited by troglitazone and 15d-PGJ(2) (troglitazone, -52% at 10 micromol/L, P<0.01; 15d-PGJ(2), -70% at 10 micromol/L, P<0.005). An increase in [(3)H]leucine uptake induced by angiotensin II or phenylephrine was significantly inhibited by troglitazone and 15d-PGJ(2). Mechanical strain induced mRNA expression for brain natriuretic peptide, but PPARgamma activators inhibited this induction. Furthermore, PPARgamma activators inhibited mechanically induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation, inhibited strain-induced [(3)H]leucine uptake (-50% at 100 micromol/L, P<0.05).'] Do peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activators inhibit cardiac hypertrophy in cardiac myocytes?