Nerve remodeling in a canine model of atrial fibrillation induced by 48 hours right atrial pacing.
- Author:
Fu-sheng YU
1
;
Yan ZHANG
;
Yan FENG
;
Ling ZHANG
;
Yan-hong MA
;
Wei SONG
;
Yue-mei HOU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Atrial Fibrillation; physiopathology; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Female; Heart Atria; innervation; physiopathology; Male; Vagus Nerve; physiopathology
- From: Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2010;38(7):644-647
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo evaluate the nerve remodeling induced by 48 hours right atrial pacing in a canine model.
METHODSRapid right atrial pacing (600 beats/min) was performed in 6 mongrel dogs of either sex for 48 hours to induce sustained atrial fibrillation (AF). Six dogs without pacing served as controls. Cardiac nerves were immunocytochemically stained using anti-growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) and anti-choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) antibodies to compare nerve sprouting and pneumogastric nerve remodeling between the 2 groups.
RESULTSIn dogs with AF, the GAP43-positive and CHAT-positive nerve densities in the left atrium, left auricular appendage, right atrium and right auricular appendage were significantly higher than in control animals (all P < 0.05). Moreover, nerve density was significantly higher in the right atrium than in the left atrium in dogs with AF. Microscopic examinations revealed an inhomogeneous distribution of cardiac nerves.
CONCLUSIONSignificant nerve sprouting and pneumogastric nerve remodeling were evidenced in the right and left atrium in a canine model of sustained AF induced by 48 hours right atrial pacing.
