Agonists and antagonists of peripheral-type benzodiazepine.

An in vitro method for inducing a hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes which comprises contacting said myocytes with an effective amount of an agonist of a receptor of peripheral-type benzodiazepine (PTBR), wherein said agonist is an organic compound selected from the group consisting of benzodiazepines, isoquinoline carboxamides, imidazopyridines, 2-aryl-3- indolacetamidas and pirrolobenzoxazepinas.