Histone deacetylase 4: A therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases (Review).

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health threat, as its incidence and mortality rates continue to rise, highlighting the urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), a member of class IIa HDACs, has attracted increasing attention in recent years for its role in CVD. Studies have shown that HDAC4 can influence the development and progression of CVD such as cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension and atherosclerosis by regulating key pathophysiological processes including inflammation, fibrosis and apoptosis. The present review focuses on the functional roles of HDAC4 in CVD and examines the effects of pharmacological agents and physical exercise on its expression. Future research should further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying HDAC4's involvement in CVD to provide new theoretical foundations for clinical diagnosis and treatment.