MAPK8 and Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia-associated pro-fibrotic effects are associated with the up-regulation and activation of signaling molecules such as PKC and mitogen activated kinases such as c-Jun Nuclear Kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK and extracellular signal related kinase 1 (ERK1/2) which contribute to adverse remodeling in the diabetic hearts [3].