Increased serum high mobility group box 1 protein in patients with atrial fibrillation

BackgroundInflammatory process has been associated with development and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has been proved to be as a novel pro-inflammatory cytokine in cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated whether the serum HMGB1 level was increased in AF patients.MethodsA total of 88 consecutive AF patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy people were considered as control group. Serum HMGB1 concentration in AF patients and healthy people was measured by ELISA.ResultsHMGB1 level in persistent AF group (8.62 ± 2.18 ng/ml) was higher than that in control group (2.22 ± 0.63 ng/ml) and paroxysmal AF group (5.29 ± 1.43 ng/ml) (both P < 0.05). HMGB1 level in paroxysmal AF group was higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). There was significantly positive correlation between HMGB1 and hs-CRP in AF patients (n = 88, r = 0.629, P < 0.05).ConclusionThe present study showed that serum HMGB1 level was markedly increased in paroxysmal and persistent AF patients.