Relationship between interleukin-6 and atrial fibrillation in rabbits

Objective To explore the significance of interleukin-6 as a systematic inflammatory factor in the occurrence and development of atrial fibrillation(AF).MethodsThe rabbit model of atrial fibrillation was established by rapid pacing of the upper right atrium.Blood samples were collected by jugular vein at 1 h,2 h,4 h,6 h after atrial fibrillation.Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the serum IL-6 levels.ResultsAt 2 h,4 h,6 h after atrial fibrillation,serum IL-6 levels were(81.67±10.68)pg/ml,(100.65±7.75)pg/ml and(110.78±4.50)pg/ml respectively,significantly higher than that of control group[(55.37±12.6)pg/ml,F=50.152,P=0.000];While there was no significant difference at hour 1 compared with control group.ConclusionThat serum IL-6 level elevates with prolonging of atrial fibrillation indicates that the inflammatory state may participate in the occurrence and persistence of atrial fibrillation.