Relation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and change of lipoproteins: Male patients with AF exhibited severe pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic properties in lipoproteins

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) group showed elevated plasma triacylglycerol and uric acid.
• Plasma CETP activity was significantly elevated in the AF group.
• Lipoproteins of AF group were severely oxidized and glycated.
• ApoA-I content and particle size of HDL were reduced in AF group
• Lipoprotein properties were modified to be more atherogenic in the AF group.

ObjectivesThis study was designed to search putative biomarkers for detection of relatively young-onset atrial fibrillation (AF).Design and methodsWe analyzed serum lipoproteins from male patients with paroxysmal AF (48 ± 9 years old, n = 29) and controls with similar age (50 ± 10 years old, n = 27), who visited our hospital for radiofrequency catheter ablation due to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.ResultsAlthough the AF group showed normal serum cholesterol level, they exhibited 16% lower HDL-cholesterol and 13% higher serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity than those of the control group. The AF group showed elevated levels of serum triglyceride (TG) and C-reactive protein with hyperuricemia. However, there was no difference between serum levels of creatinine, troponin I, and serum amyloid A. All lipoproteins from the AF group contained higher level of TG, oxidized species, and advanced glycated end products. LDL from the AF group (AF-LDL) showed 2.7-fold more content of malondialdehyde than the control group (p < 0.04) and exhibited higher sensitivity of oxidation. HDL-associated paraoxonase from the AF group showed impaired antioxidant ability and lowered expressional level of apoA-I (p < 0.01) and paraoxonase (p < 0.005) in HDL3.ConclusionLipoprotein properties were severely impaired in the AF group with increased extent of oxidation and inflammation. The modified lipoprotein properties with impaired antioxidant functions can be used as a putative biomarker for prognostic detection for the relatively young onset AF.