Expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α and β in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Non-vavular Hypertensive Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Objecitve To determine the mRNA expressions of PPARα and PPARβ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-vavular hypertensive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and elucidate its possible role in the pathogenesis of AF. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 103 patients with hypertensive AF (persistent AF:55, paroxysmal AF:48) and 50 age-adjusted hypertension patients without AF. The mRNA expressions of PPARα, PPARβ, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in monocytes were detected by using a Real time polymerase chain reaction. The concentrations of high sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were measured by immunoenzymetric method. Results The PPARα mRNA expression level was persistently decreased in hypertensive non-AF group, paroxysmal AF group, and persistent AF group (1.34±0.17,1.09±0.23,0.85±0.22), while the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001; respectively). TNF-α mRNA,IL-6 mRNA,CRP and IL-1 persistently increased in hypertensive non-AF group, paroxysmal AF group, persistent AF group, also the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001; respectively). The difference of PPARβ mRNA was not statistically significant between non-AF group, paroxysmal AF group and persistent AF group. Left atrial diameter (LAD) was in positive correlation with CRP, IL-1, IL-6 mRNA and TNF-α mRNA (P<0.05). PPARα mRNA level was in negative correlation with CRP,IL-1,IL-6 mRNA and TNF-α mRNA, the correlation coefficient was -0.519, -0.532, -0.491 and -0.528, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion In hypertensive patients with AF, increased inflammatory cytokines were associated with atrial remodeling and lead to the development of atrial fibrillation; PPARα was negatively correlated with these inflammatory cytokines and may play a vital role in the process of atrial fibrillation development.