title: Probucol attenuates atrial structural remodeling in prolonged pacing-induced atrial fibrillation in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oxidative stress has recently been implicated in atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we hypothesize that probucol can attenuate atrial structure remodeling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty dogs were randomly divided into sham-operated, control, and probucol-treated groups. We identified apoptosis and histopathological changes in the atria. Oxidative stress was measured by lipid peroxidation and echocardiographic examinations were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Atrial apoptosis indexes were dramatically decreased in the probucol-treated group compared to the control group. Relative to the control group, the percentage of myolysis was dramatically decreased in the probucol-treated group (p < 0.01). There was less lipid peroxidation in the probucol-treated group than the control group. Atrial function was dramatically elevated in the probucol-treated group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that the antioxidant probucol suppresses atrial structural remodeling and may act as a new therapy for AF.
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yongtai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Hongjie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Hongbo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shan