Abstract
Background
The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine
(ADMA) is a well-established risk factor for oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction,
and congestive heart failure. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact
of rapid atrial pacing (RAP) on ADMA levels and eNOS expression.
Methods and results
ADMA levels were studied in 60 age- and gender-matched patients. Thirty five patients
had persistent atrial fibrillation (AF)≥4 months. In AF-patients, parameters were studied before and 24 h after electrical cardioversion. Moreover, ADMA, eNOS expression, and calcium-handling
proteins were studied in pigs subjected to RAP as well as in endothelial cell (EC)
cultures. ADMA level was significantly higher in AF compared to sinus rhythm patients
(p=0.024). ADMA was highest in AF-patients, who also showed elevated troponin T (TnT)
levels. Moreover, ADMA showed a significant linear correlation to TnT (r=0.47; p<0.01). After electrical cardioversion ADMA returned to normal within 24 h. In pigs, RAP for 7 h increased ADMA levels (p=0.018) and TnI (p<0.05), and reduced mRNA expression of ventricular and aortic eNOS (−80%; p<0.05) compared to sham-control. However, ADMA per se did not affect eNOS mRNA level
in EC cultures.
Conclusion
The current study shows that acute and persistent episodes of atrial tachyarrhythmia
are associated with elevated ADMA levels accompanied by increased ischemic myocardial
markers. Moreover, RAP increases ADMA and down-regulates eNOS expression in an ADMA-independent
manner. We conclude that the combination of these two separate and potentially synergistic
mechanisms may contribute to long-term vascular injury during atrial tachyarrhythmia.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 06, 2010
Accepted:
September 5,
2010
Received in revised form:
June 29,
2010
Received:
January 21,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
