Changes in Intestinal Flora Structure and Metabolites Are Associated With Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of atrial fibrillation is often accompanied by myocardial fibrosis. An increasing number of studies have shown that intestinal flora is involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. This study explores the relationship between changes in the structure and function of intestinal flora and the progression of myocardial fibrosis in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.Methods: Serum and stool samples were collected from 10 healthy people and 10 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), and statistical analyses were performed on the subjects' clinical baseline conditions. ELISA was used to measure the levels of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), procollagen III N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in serum. Through 16S rRNA sequencing technology, the structural composition of the intestinal flora was detected and analyzed. In addition, metabolomics data were analyzed to determine the differences in the metabolites produced by the intestinal flora of the subjects.Results: By comparing the baseline data of the subjects, it was found that compared with those of the control group, the levels of creatinine (CRE) and serum uric acid (SUA) in the serum of PeAF patients were significantly increased. In addition, we found that the levels of CTX-I, PICP, PIIINP, and TGF-β1 in the serum of PeAF patients were significantly higher than those of the control group subjects. Although the control and PeAF groups exhibited no significant differences in the α diversity index, there were significant differences in the β diversity indexes (Bray-Curtis, weighted UniFrac and Anosim). At the phylum, family and species levels, the community structure and composition of the intestinal flora of the control group and those of the PeAF group showed significant differences. In addition, the compositions of the intestinal metabolites in the two different groups of people were significantly different. They were correlated considerably with PIIINP and specific communities in the intestinal flora.Conclusion: Pathologically, PeAF patients may have a higher risk of myocardial fibrosis. Systematically, abnormal changes in the structure and composition of the intestinal flora in PeAF patients may lead to differences in intestinal metabolites, which are involved in the process of myocardial fibrosis through metabolite pathways.

Correlation between Serum Myosin Light Chain 4 Levels and Recurrence after Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

“…In line with this finding, TGF-β1 and PICP levels were elevated in patients with persistent AF. 39) More importantly, our study illustrated that serum MYL4 levels in patients with AF were negatively correlated with TGF-β1 and PICP levels. Similarly, MYL4 knockout resulted in an increased degree of early atrial fibrosis in rats.…”

Cross-Sectional Blood Metabolite Markers of Hypertension: A Multicohort Analysis of 44,306 Individuals from the COnsortium of METabolomics Studies

“…In murine models of hypertension the infusion of bile acids (deoxycholic acid) significantly reduced arterial BP by 12 mmHg [ 19 ]. Although glycocholic acid has not previously been associated with hypertension or blood pressure, previous evidence suggests links with other cardiovascular factors, such as atrial fibrillation [ 20 ], and its precursor, cholic acid, has been causally linked with the development of hypertension within murine models [ 21 ]. GCDCA on the other hand has been linked with toxicity in cardiac mitochondria in vitro [ 22 ].…”

Predictive Value of Serum microRNA-29b-3p in Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

“…Then the upper serum was isolated and stored in the refrigerator at −80°C until determination within 1 week. The expression levels of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21; 1:4, JL19322-96T, Jianglai Biotech, Shanghai, China), 23 fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23; 1:4, ab267652, Abcam, Cambridge, UK), 24 hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; TW14171, Tongwei Biotechnology, Shanghai, China), and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP; JL13111-48T, Jianglai Biotech, Shanghai, China) in serum of all subjects were determined using Human ELISA kits. The samples were incubated with coating solution in ELISA plates at 37°C for 2 hours and then incubated overnight at 4°C.…”