NREP and metabolic syndrome: Some of the genes showing altered expression in diabetic hearts in the present study have not yet been related to diabetic cardiomyopathy (e.g. up-regulation of prostaglandin b2 synthase (brain) (Ptgds); fibroblast growth factor (Fgf18) and down-regulation of HOP homeobox (Hopx); neuronal regeneration related protein (Nrep); etc.). Interestingly, we have found here the overexpression of brain expressed X-linked 1 (Bex1) in DM similar to the up-regulation of this gene in metabolic syndrome [23] in our previous study.