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

Abstract

Background Inflammatory 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. Methods A 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. Results HMGB1 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). Conclusion The present study showed that serum HMGB1 level was markedly increased in paroxysmal and persistent AF patients.