Activation of an apoptotic signal transduction pathway involved in the upregulation of calpain and apoptosis-inducing factor in aldosterone-induced primary cultured cardiomyocytes

► Aldosterone induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis dependent on cytosolic Ca2+ levels. ► Aldosterone induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial death-signaling pathway. ► Treatment with spirolactone attenuated the pro-apoptotic effect of aldosterone.