Results
Participant characteristics
Table 1 shows the characteristics of the participants with AF and PSVT. The mean values of sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and heavy alcohol intake were not significantly different between participants with AF and those with PSVT.
BRD4 levels, LAAPD, and LVEF in participants with AF and PSVT
Table 2 shows the BRD4 levels of peripheral venous blood, LAAPD, and LVEF in patients with AF and PSVT. The 2−∆∆Ct method was used to analyze the relative expression of BRD4 genes, and the obtained value is expressed by RQ value. The mean values of BRD4 levels and LAAPD were significantly higher in participants with AF than in those with PSVT. However, the mean values of LVEF were significantly lower in participants with AF than in those with PSVT.
BRD4 levels, LAAPD, LVEF, LAA-PEV, left atrial low voltage and postoperative recurrence in participants with paroxysmal AF and persistent AF
Table 3 shows the BRD4 levels of peripheral venous blood, LAAPD, LVEF, LAA-PEV, left atrial low voltage, and postoperative recurrence in participants with paroxysmal AF and persistent AF. The mean values of LVEF and LAA-PEV were significantly higher in participants with paroxysmal AF than in those with persistent AF. However, the mean BRD4 levels, LAAPD, left atrial low voltage, and postoperative recurrence were significantly lower in participants with paroxysmal AF than in those with persistent AF.
BRD4 levels, LAAPD, LVEF, LAA-PEV, and left atrial low voltage of participants in the NreAF and reAF groups
Table 4 shows the BRD4 levels of peripheral venous blood, LAAPD, LVEF, LAA-PEV, and left atrial low voltage of participants in the NreAF and reAF groups. The mean values of LVEF and LAA-PEV were significantly higher in participants in the NreAF group than those in the reAF group. However, the mean values of BRD4 levels, LAAPD, and left atrial low voltage were significantly lower in participants in the NreAF group than those in the reAF group.
BRD4 levels, LAAPD, LVEF, and LAA-PEV of the participants in the NLAV and LAV groups
Table 5 shows the BRD4 levels of peripheral venous blood, LAAPD, LVEF, and LAA-PEV of participants in the NLAV and LAV groups. The mean values of LVEF and LAA-PEV were significantly higher in participants in the NLAV group than those in the LAV group. However, the mean values of BRD4 levels and LAAPD were significantly lower in participants in the NLAV group than those in the LAV group.
The mean incidence and duration of AF in the SD rats in the AF + CTL group and AF + JQ-1 group
Table 6 shows the mean incidence and duration of AF in SD rats in the AF + CTL group and AF + JQ-1 group. The mean incidence and duration of AF were significantly higher in SD rats in the AF + CTL group than those in the AF + JQ-1 group.
Fibrosis of the left atrium evaluated by Masson’s trichrome staining of SD rats in the CTL, AF + CTL, and AF + JQ-1 groups
Figure 6 shows the collagen volume fraction and left atrial fibrosis evaluated by Masson’s trichrome staining of SD rats in the CTL group (n = 6), AF + CTL group (n = 6), and AF + JQ-1 group (n = 6). The mean collagen volume fraction of the left atrium was significantly higher in SD rats in the AF + CTL group than those in the AF + JQ-1 group and CTL group. The mean collagen volume fraction of the left atrium was significantly higher in SD rats in the AF + JQ-1 group than those in the CTL group (D). The area of fibrotic collagen (stained blue) was largest in the AF + CTL group (B), least in the CTL group (A), and the second largest in AF + JQ-1 group (C).
Fibrosis-related indicators detected by western blot(WB) of SD rats in the CTL, AF + CTL, and AF + JQ1 groups
Figure 7 shows the fibrosis-related indicators (BRD4, TGF-β1, P-Smad2/3, Smad2/3, Smad7, CX43, and type III collagen) detected by WB of SD rats in the CTL group (n = 6), AF + CTL group (n = 6), and AF + JQ1 group (n = 6). The mean values of the BRD4, TGF-β1, P-Smad2/3, Smad2/3, and type III collagen were significantly higher in SD rats in the AF + CTL group than those in the AF + JQ1 and CTL groups. However, the mean values of the Smad7 and CX43 were significantly lower among SD rats in the AF + CTL group than among those in the AF + JQ1 and CTL groups.