Paper Title
Increased Expression of Myocardin in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cardiomyopathy is a prolonged disease related to heart muscle (myocardium) causing ventricular dysfunction in heart. In this disease, myocardium is it-self structurally and functionally abnormal. Among group of cardiomyopathies, dilated cardiomyopathy occupies significant position including enlarged left ventricle with compromised and imbalanced contraction and weakened left ventricular wall thickness. In the unindustrialized world, its prevalence is about 0.6% for males and 0.4% for females. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the expression of myocardin (MYOCD) gene in dilated cardiomyopathic subjects. METHODS: Fresh blood samples of 20 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients were taken after medical examination by physician. For comparison 10 healthy control subjects were also included. Blood samples were processed immediately after collection for RNA isolation by TRIZOLE method. Then RNA was quantified by Nanodrop. Isolated RNA was reverse transcribed for cDNA synthesis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis was done to investigate cDNA synthesis. Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was done to analyze the gene expression of myocardin (MYOCD) in DCM as well as healthy controls. RESULTS: The expression level of Myocardin in DCM i.e. diseased group was in the range of 1.6 to 7.5 with a mean value of 3.66± 0.357. While for control group containing healthy persons, gene expression level was 1. 00. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of myocardin was observed in DCM as compared to control.