Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase and Cytokines During Atrial Fibrillation Investigation

Objective:To quantify the association of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs),tissue inhibitors of metallopro- teinases(TIMPs),and associated eytokines with atrial fibrillation(AF). Methods:Eighty five patients in our hospital were enrolled.Out of them 25 patients had permanent AF,28 patients had par- oxysmal AF,and 32 patients sinus rhythm.The serum levels of all markers were measured by ELISA. Results:MMP-1 significantly increased in paroxysmal AF group by 19.80%(P0.05)over sinus rhythm group.MMP-2 significantly increased in permanent AF group over paroxysmal AF group and sinus rhythm group by 59.18% and 41.87%(P 0.05),respectively.MMP-7,MMP-9 and TIMP-1 had no significant difference between 3 groups(P0.05).TIMP-2 signifi- cantly decreased in permanent AF group and paroxysmal AF group over sinus rhythm group by 22.0% and 13.01%(P 0.05), respectively.Transforming growth factor-β significantly increased in permanent AF group over paroxysmal AF and sinus rhythm groups by 30.04% and 20.83%(P0.05),respectively.Tumor necrosis factor-α significantly increased in permanent AF and paroxysmal AF groups over sinus rhythm group,by 28.30% and 15.65%(P0.05),respectively.Basic fibroblast growth fac- tor significantly increased in permanent AF and paroxysmal AF groups over sinus rhythm group by 4.45% and 3.76%(P 0.05),respectively.Insulin-like growth factor-1 significantly decreased in permanent AF group over sinus rhythm group by 21.97%.Platelet-derived growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor had no significant difference between 3 groups(P 0.05). Conclusion:Inflammatory and remodeling cytokines can regulate MMP/TIMP system and disturb the balance of collagen syn- thesis and degradation,thus resulting in extracellular matrix remodeling.This may be one of the mechanisms of the atrial struc- tural remodeling in atrial fibrillation,and it may be correlated with the initiation and maintenance of AF.