Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Published Online
on November 11, 2002

Circulation. 2002
Published online before print November 11, 2002, doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000039327.11661.16
A more recent version of this article appeared on November 26, 2002
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
106/22/2854    most recent
01.CIR.0000039327.11661.16v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cai, H.
Right arrow Articles by Langberg, J. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Cai, H.
Right arrow Articles by Langberg, J. J.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*Atrial Fibrillation
*Stroke
Hazardous Substances DB
*NITRIC OXIDE
Related Collections
Right arrow Arrhythmias, clinical electrophysiology, drugs
Right arrow Coagulation and fibronolysis
Right arrow Endothelium/vascular type/nitric oxide
Right arrowRelated Article

Submitted on June 11, 2002
Revised on August 19, 2002
Accepted on August 26, 2002

Downregulation of Endocardial Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Nitric Oxide Production in Atrial Fibrillation. Potential Mechanisms for Atrial Thrombosis and Stroke

Hua Cai MD, PhD, Zongming Li MD, Andreas Goette MD, Fernando Mera MD, Clegg Honeycutt MS, Kristian Feterik MD, Josiah N. Wilcox PhD, Samuel C. Dudley Jr MD, PhD, David G. Harrison MD, and Jonathan J. Langberg MD*

From the Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine (H.C., Z.L., A.G., F.M., C.H., K.F., S.C.D., D.G.H., J.L.L.); Atlanta VAMC (Z.L., S.C.D.); and The Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University (J.N.W.), Atlanta, Ga.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jonathan_langberg{at}emory.org.

Background—In the arterial endothelium, laminar flow and cyclical stretch induce expression of NO synthase (NOS). We hypothesized that atrial fibrillation (AF) causes a downregulation of atrial endocardial NOS expression and NO· production. Because NO· has antithrombotic properties, this may contribute to thromboembolism in AF.

Methods and Results—In pigs, AF was produced with rapid atrial pacing at 600 bpm for 1 week, whereas controls had atrial pacing at 100 bpm. All animals had catheter ablation of the AV junction and ventricular pacing at 100 bpm. NO· production from freshly isolated tissue was measured by a NO·-specific microelectrode. Left atrial basal and stimulated NO· production was decreased in AF by 73% and 71% (P<0.01). Endocardial NOS expression, determined by Western analysis, was also significantly decreased by 46%. Expression of the prothombotic protein plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is known to be regulated by NO· and was increased in the left atrium by 1.8-fold in AF (P<0.05). NO· concentration was decreased in the left atrial appendage, although NOS expression was not affected. Neither NOS concentration, NO· levels, nor PAI-1 expression were altered in the aortas or right atria of animals with AF.

Conclusions—AF is associated with a marked decrease in endocardial NOS expression and NO· bioavailability and an increase in PAI-1 expression in the left atrium. These data suggest that organized atrial contraction is needed to maintain normal endocardial expression of NOS. It is likely that loss of this antithrombotic enzyme contributes to the thromboembolic phenomena commonly observed in AF.


Key words: nitric oxide • arrhythmia • thrombosis • fibrillation • plasminogen activators


Related Article:

NO Hope for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Michael Rubart and Douglas P. Zipes
Circulation 2002 106: 2764-2766. [Extract] [Full Text]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. Anter and D. J. Callans
Pharmacological and Electrical Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm Is Worth the Effort
Circulation, October 6, 2009; 120(14): 1436 - 1443.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
C N Pellegrini, E Vittinghoff, F Lin, S B Hulley, and G M Marcus
Statin use is associated with lower risk of atrial fibrillation in women with coronary disease: the HERS trial
Heart, May 1, 2009; 95(9): 704 - 708.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
M Guazzi and R Arena
Endothelial dysfunction and pathophysiological correlates in atrial fibrillation
Heart, January 15, 2009; 95(2): 102 - 106.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
R. Gomez, L. Nunez, M. Vaquero, I. Amoros, A. Barana, T. de Prada, C. Macaya, L. Maroto, E. Rodriguez, R. Caballero, et al.
Nitric oxide inhibits Kv4.3 and human cardiac transient outward potassium current (Ito1)
Cardiovasc Res, December 1, 2008; 80(3): 375 - 384.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
O. Adam, H.-R. Neuberger, M. Bohm, and U. Laufs
Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation With 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors
Circulation, September 16, 2008; 118(12): 1285 - 1293.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
D. R. Van Wagoner
Is homocysteine a mediator of atrial dysfunction or just another marker of endothelial dysfunction?
Europace, August 1, 2008; 10(8): 899 - 900.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
G. M. Marcus and J. E. Olgin
Preventing Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: A New Method Using an Old Tool
Circulation, July 29, 2008; 118(5): 467 - 468.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
J. G. Akar, W. Jeske, and D. J. Wilber
Acute Onset Human Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated With Local Cardiac Platelet Activation and Endothelial Dysfunction
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 6, 2008; 51(18): 1790 - 1793.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
V. Roldan, F. Marin, and G. Y.H. Lip
Letter by Roldan et al Regarding Article, "Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 as a Predictor of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiopulmonary Bypass"
Circulation, February 26, 2008; 117(8): e169 - e169.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Goette, A. Bukowska, U. Lendeckel, M. Erxleben, M. Hammwohner, D. Strugala, J. Pfeiffenberger, F.-W. Rohl, C. Huth, M. P.A. Ebert, et al.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade Reduces Tachycardia-Induced Atrial Adhesion Molecule Expression
Circulation, February 12, 2008; 117(6): 732 - 742.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
C. A. Carnes, P. M. L. Janssen, M. L. Ruehr, H. Nakayama, T. Nakayama, H. Haase, J. A. Bauer, M. K. Chung, I. M. Fearon, A. M. Gillinov, et al.
Atrial Glutathione Content, Calcium Current, and Contractility
J. Biol. Chem., September 21, 2007; 282(38): 28063 - 28073.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. Pretorius, B. S. Donahue, C. Yu, J. P. Greelish, D. M. Roden, and N. J. Brown
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 as a Predictor of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Circulation, September 11, 2007; 116(11_suppl): I-1 - I-7.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
F. T. Range, M. Schafers, T. Acil, K. P. Schafers, P. Kies, M. Paul, S. Hermann, B. Brisse, G. Breithardt, O. Schober, et al.
Impaired myocardial perfusion and perfusion reserve associated with increased coronary resistance in persistent idiopathic atrial fibrillation
Eur. Heart J., September 2, 2007; 28(18): 2223 - 2230.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone SystemHome page
T. Yamashita, A. Sekiguchi, T. Kato, T. Tsuneda, Y.-k. Iwasaki, K. Sagara, H. Iinuma, H. Sawada, and T. Aizawa
Angiotensin type 1 receptor blockade prevents endocardial dysfunction of rapidly paced atria in rats
Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, September 1, 2007; 8(3): 127 - 132.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
O. Adam, G. Frost, F. Custodis, M. A. Sussman, H.-J. Schafers, M. Bohm, and U. Laufs
Role of Rac1 GTPase Activation in Atrial Fibrillation
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 24, 2007; 50(4): 359 - 367.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
W. C. Aird
Phenotypic Heterogeneity of the Endothelium: II. Representative Vascular Beds
Circ. Res., February 2, 2007; 100(2): 174 - 190.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
J.-H. Oak and H. Cai
Attenuation of Angiotensin II Signaling Recouples eNOS and Inhibits Nonendothelial NOX Activity in Diabetic Mice
Diabetes, January 1, 2007; 56(1): 118 - 126.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
M. Guazzi, M. Berti, S. Belletti, G. Reina, and M. D. Guazzi
Exercise metaboreflex activation and endothelial function impairment in atrial fibrillation
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, November 1, 2006; 291(5): H2396 - H2402.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
I. Baro
Atrial fibrillation: Is NO an answer for refractoriness?
Cardiovasc Res, October 1, 2006; 72(1): 7 - 8.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
L. Nunez, M. Vaquero, R. Gomez, R. Caballero, P. Mateos-Caceres, C. Macaya, I. Iriepa, E. Galvez, A. Lopez-Farre, J. Tamargo, et al.
Nitric oxide blocks hKv1.5 channels by S-nitrosylation and by a cyclic GMP-dependent mechanism
Cardiovasc Res, October 1, 2006; 72(1): 80 - 89.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
S. de Haan, M. Greiser, E. Harks, Y. Blaauw, A. van Hunnik, S. Verheule, M. Allessie, and U. Schotten
AVE0118, Blocker of the Transient Outward Current (Ito) and Ultrarapid Delayed Rectifier Current (IKur), Fully Restores Atrial Contractility After Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation in the Goat
Circulation, September 19, 2006; 114(12): 1234 - 1242.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
M. Guazzi, S. Belletti, E. Bianco, L. Lenatti, and M. D. Guazzi
Endothelial dysfunction and exercise performance in lone atrial fibrillation or associated with hypertension or diabetes: different results with cardioversion
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2006; 291(2): H921 - H928.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
C. Fatini, E. Sticchi, M. Genuardi, F. Sofi, F. Gensini, A. M. Gori, M. Lenti, A. Michelucci, R. Abbate, and G. F. Gensini
Analysis of minK and eNOS genes as candidate loci for predisposition to non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2006; 27(14): 1712 - 1718.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
D. Dobrev and U. Ravens
Do genetics help to better understand the underlying mechanisms of atrial fibrillation?
Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2006; 27(14): 1640 - 1641.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
A. Shiroshita-Takeshita, B. J.J.M. Brundel, J. Lavoie, and S. Nattel
Prednisone prevents atrial fibrillation promotion by atrial tachycardia remodeling in dogs
Cardiovasc Res, March 1, 2006; 69(4): 865 - 875.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
Y. M. Kim, T. J. Guzik, Y. H. Zhang, M. H. Zhang, H. Kattach, C. Ratnatunga, R. Pillai, K. M. Channon, and B. Casadei
A Myocardial Nox2 Containing NAD(P)H Oxidase Contributes to Oxidative Stress in Human Atrial Fibrillation
Circ. Res., September 30, 2005; 97(7): 629 - 636.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
S. C. Dudley Jr, N. E. Hoch, L. A. McCann, C. Honeycutt, L. Diamandopoulos, T. Fukai, D. G. Harrison, S. I. Dikalov, and J. Langberg
Atrial Fibrillation Increases Production of Superoxide by the Left Atrium and Left Atrial Appendage: Role of the NADPH and Xanthine Oxidases
Circulation, August 30, 2005; 112(9): 1266 - 1273.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol PatholHome page
K. Yoshizawa, G. E. Kissling, J. A. Johnson, N. P. Clayton, N. D. Flagler, and A. Nyska
Chemical-Induced Atrial Thrombosis in NTP Rodent Studies
Toxicol Pathol, August 1, 2005; 33(5): 517 - 532.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
K. Chalupsky and H. Cai
Endothelial dihydrofolate reductase: Critical for nitric oxide bioavailability and role in angiotensin II uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase
PNAS, June 21, 2005; 102(25): 9056 - 9061.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J CARDIOVASC PHARMACOL THERHome page
H. J. Kim and R. Arora
Emerging Role of Direct Thrombin Inhibitors in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Potential and Peril
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, January 1, 2005; 10(1): 11 - 21.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Shiroshita-Takeshita, G. Schram, J. Lavoie, and S. Nattel
Effect of Simvastatin and Antioxidant Vitamins on Atrial Fibrillation Promotion by Atrial-Tachycardia Remodeling in Dogs
Circulation, October 19, 2004; 110(16): 2313 - 2319.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
T. Yamashita, A. Sekiguchi, Y.-k. Iwasaki, K. Sagara, S. Hatano, H. Iinuma, T. Aizawa, and L.-T. Fu
Thrombomodulin and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor in Endocardium of Rapidly Paced Rat Atria
Circulation, November 18, 2003; 108(20): 2450 - 2452.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
L. Bergfeldt and Y. Haga
Power spectral and Poincare plot characteristics in sinus node dysfunction
J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2003; 94(6): 2217 - 2224.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
H. T Sie, W. P Beukema, A. Elvan, and A. R Ramdat Misier
New strategies in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation
Cardiovasc Res, June 1, 2003; 58(3): 501 - 509.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. Rubart and D. P. Zipes
NO Hope for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Circulation, November 26, 2002; 106(22): 2764 - 2766.
[Full Text] [PDF]