LEP and diabetic cardiomyopathy: In addition to the increased risk of developing ischemic heart disease, patients with diabetes are prone to develop diabetic cardiomyopathy, characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and diastolic dysfunction (Asbun & Villarreal, 2006) Although leptin-deficient db/db mice do not develop myocardial remodeling or cardiac dysfunction, they are more susceptible to Ang II mediated hypertrophy and dysfunction (Harrap et al., 1996).