Abstract:

Objective To investigate whether the gene expression of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in right atrial appendage is altered in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Methods 48 patients with rheumatic heart disease were enrolled. Twenty-seven patients had no history of atrial fibrillation, and twenty-one patients had atrial fibrillation. Atrial tissue was obtained from the right atrial appendage during open heart surgery. The mRNAexpression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression of IL-1β and TNF-α was detected by immunhistochemical method. The fibrosis of right atrial appendage was detected by Masson staining. Results The expression of IL-1β/GAPDH, IL-6/GAPDHand TNF-α/GAPDHwas significantly increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation compared with patients with sinus rhythm (1.48±0.38 vs 0.78±0.27, P<0.001; 1.46±0.48 vs 0.73±0.25, P<0.001; 1.71±0.98 vs 0.73±0.29, P< 0.001). The fibrosis of right atrial appendage was significantly increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. The protein expression of IL-1β and TNF-α was significantly increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Conclusion The mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α is significantly increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, inflammation may be one of mechanisms for the development and maintainance of atrial fibrillation.

Key words: atrial fibrillation, interleukin-1&beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-&alpha