Neurotrophic Factors and Heart Diseases

Abstract

Neurotrophic factors are well known for their action on the development, survival and regeneration of neurons. However, new functions have been assigned to those peptides not only during development but also throughout the postnatal life. The searches for new therapeutic strategies have highlighted the role of neurotrophic factors in various phenomena related to pathological and physiological processes. In this review will summarize the knowledge of the families of neurotrophic factors as well as other growth factors with known neurotrophic activity. We also aim to provide a synopsis of the involvement of those peptides in cardiac diseases since this knowledge undoubtedly contributes to the development of therapeutic strategies for prevention and treatment of heart diseases.