Interrelationship Between Inflammatory Biomarkers and Collagen Remodeling Proteins in Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. Inflammation and structural remodeling of the left atrium are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of AF. This study explores collagen remodeling and inflammatory biomarkers in AF patients compared to healthy controls to discern their role in AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from AF patients undergoing first AF ablation (n = 72) and compared with commercially available human plasma samples from healthy subjects (n = 62). The collagen remodeling biomarkers and inflammatory biomarkers in the AF patients and control population were quantified using sandwich ELISA kits. GraphPad prism was used to perform statistical analyses. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant elevation in all the collagen remodeling biomarkers and inflammatory biomarkers in the AF patients compared to healthy controls. Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated significant correlations between inflammatory and collagen remodeling biomarkers, and among the collagen biomarkers. Of note, CRP was found to be correlated with TIMP-1, ICTP and PIIINP. IL6 and TIMP-1 were also found to be intercorrelated. Furthermore, correlations were noted among the different collagen remodeling peptides, and between TNFα and IL6, two of the inflammatory markers explored in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of the inflammatory biomarkers and collagen remodeling proteins in AF patients is suggestive of inflammation and increased collagen turnover. The association between inflammatory biomarkers and collagen remodeling proteins may contribute to their regulation and role in the remodeling process.

Collagen Remodeling and Fatty Acid Regulation Biomarkers in Understanding the Molecular Pathogenesis of Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrythmia in the world. Structural remodeling and fatty acid metabolism dysregulation are believed to play a role in the development of AF. This study explored different biomarkers in the blood of AF patients and a control population to determine if there was a significant difference between the two groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from 73 patients with confirmed diagnosis of AF from Loyola University Clinic. Control group represented commercially available plasma (n = 50). Sandwich ELISA kits were used to quantify the collagen remodeling proteins and liver type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) in the AF population and the control population. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) were measured using an enzymatic colorimetric kit from Wako Diagnostics. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism. RESULTS: All the collagen remodeling biomarkers were significantly higher in AF patients compared to the control group. The fatty acid dysregulation biomarkers were elevated in the AF patients. Spearman correlation analyses yielded significant correlations between L-FABP and TIMP-1 (r = 0.47, P < 0.001), NEFA and TIMP-2 (r = 0.41, P = 0.002), NEFA and ICTP (r = 0.41, P =0 .002), and NEFA and PIIINP (r = 0.61, P < 0.0001). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of collagen remodeling biomarkers suggests an upregulation of these biomarkers and their potential role in AF, which may contribute to atrial fibrosis. L-FABP and NEFAs were elevated in AF patients. The correlations between the collagen remodeling and fatty acid dysregulation biomarkers may be due to their involvement in structural remodeling of the atria.