Abstract

This study explores the changes in gene and protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) in aging patients with atrial fibrillation of Xinjiang Uygur and Han nationalities. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the gene and protein expressions of TH and GAP43 in atrial tissues of 54 patients with valvular heart disease. Comparison of the mRNA and the protein expression of GAP43 and TH between the sinus rhythm group and the atrial fibrillation group was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the protein expression of GAP43 and TH in patients of Xinjiang Uygur and Han nationalities in the sinus rhythm group and atrial fibrillation group was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the protein expression of GAP43 and TH in patients of different nationalities in the sinus rhythm group and atrial fibrillation group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); the protein expression of GAP43 and TH in patients of different nationalities with different ages in the sinus rhythm group and atrial fibrillation group was not statistically significant (P < 0.05); only the protein expression of GAP43 in patients with different ages in the atrial fibrillation group was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The changes in mRNA and protein expression of TH and GAP43 played a vital role in the process of maintaining atrial fibrillation. The increase in the expression of TH and GAP43 may be one of the molecular bases of the left atrial myoelectricity remodeling of aging patients with atrial fibrillation. TH and GAP43 may be the potential therapeutic targets of atrial fibrillation.

Key words: Atrial fibrillation (AF), aging, Xinjiang Uygur, Han nationality, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), growth associated protein (GAP43)