Effects of atorvastatin on atrial remodeling in a rabbit model of atrial fibrillation produced by rapid atrial pacing

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

Research Article

Xiao Hao¹  Yi Dang¹  Yingxiao Li¹  Xuelian Song¹  Xiaoyong Qi²  Qian Yang² 

[1] Department of Cardiology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China;Department of Internal Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China;Department of Cardiology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China;

关键词: Atrial fibrillation;    Atrial remodeling;    Myeloperoxidase;    Atorvastatin;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12872-016-0301-8

 received in 2016-01-01, accepted in 2016-05-27,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests that myeloperoxidase (MPO) is involved in atrial remodeling of atrial fibrillation (AF). Statins could reduce the MPO levels in patients with cardiovascular diseases. This study evaluated the effects of atorvastatin on MPO level and atrial remodeling in a rabbit model of pacing-induced AF.MethodsEighteen rabbits were randomly divided into sham, control and atorvastatin groups. Rabbits in the control and atorvastatin groups were subjected to rapid atrial pacing (RAP) at 600 bpm for 3 weeks, and treated with placebo or atorvastatin (2.5 mg/kg/d), respectively. Rabbits in the sham group did not receive RAP. After 3 weeks of pacing, atrial structural and functional changes were assessed by echocardiography, atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and AF inducibility were measured by atrial electrophysiological examination, and histological changes were evaluated by Masson trichrome-staining. The L-type calcium channel α1c (Cav1.2), collagen I and III, MPO, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed by real time polymerase chain reaction and/or western blot.ResultsAll rabbits were found to have maintained sinus rhythm after 3 weeks of RAP. Atrial burst stimulation induced sustained AF (>30 min) in 5, 4, and no rabbits in the control, atorvastatin, and sham groups, respectively. The AERP shortened and Cav1.2 mRNA level decreased in the control group, but these changes were suppressed in the atorvastatin group. Obvious left atrial enlargement and dysfunction was found in both control and atorvastatin groups. Compared with the control group, these echocardiograhic indices of left atrium did not differ in the atorvastatin group. Prominent atrial fibrosis and increased levels of collagen I and III were observed in the control group but not in the atorvastatin group. The mRNA and protein levels of MPO, MMP-2 and MMP-9 significantly increased in the control group, but these changes were prevented in the atorvastatin group.ConclusionTreatment with atorvastatin prevented atrial remodeling in a rabbit model of RAP-induced AF. The reduction of levels of atrial MPO, MMP-2 and MMP-9 may contribute to the prevention of atorvastatin on atrial remodeling.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016