title: [The experimental study on changes of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 protein in the canine atrial fibrillation model].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the changes in the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and the alterations of nitric oxide (NO) concentration in atrial endocardium in atrial fibrillation (AF) in order to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to thrombosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In canine AF was produced with rapid atrial pacing at 400 bpm for 6 weeks, whereas the controls had no atrial pacing. NO production was measured by NO-specific microelectrode. The expression of endocardial eNOS and PAI-1 protein were determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical Staining. Plasma levels of PAI-1 were analysed by Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Left atrial NO concentration was decreased in AF than that in controls [(23.4 +/- 5.8)nmol/L vs (63.8 +/- 16.1)nmol/L, P < 0.01]. Endocardial eNOS expression was also significantly decreased (855 +/- 217 vs 2320 +/- 694, P < 0.05), whereas the expression of the PAI-1 was increased (3164 +/- 827 vs 1371 +/- 352, P < 0.01). Neither NO concentration, nor PAI-1, eNOS expression were altered in the right atria at the same time. A significant increase for plasma levels of PAI-1 was also detected in AF group. No correlation was found between eNOS and PAI-1 protein expression (r = 0.217, P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the canine model AF was associated with a marked decrease in endocardial NOS expression and NO concentration and with an increase in PAI-1 expression in the left atrium, which may contribute to the thrombosis in AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The First Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Wei-min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-yun
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shu-sen
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yong-lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Run-tao
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Jun-jie
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.forename: Jian-qiang
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Geng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism*; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III