[Nerve remodeling in a canine model of atrial fibrillation induced by 48 hours right atrial pacing].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the nerve remodeling induced by 48 hours right atrial pacing in a canine model.


METHODS
Rapid right atrial pacing (600 beats/min) was performed in 6 mongrel dogs of either sex for 48 hours to induce sustained atrial fibrillation (AF). Six dogs without pacing served as controls. Cardiac nerves were immunocytochemically stained using anti-growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) and anti-choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) antibodies to compare nerve sprouting and pneumogastric nerve remodeling between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
In dogs with AF, the GAP43-positive and CHAT-positive nerve densities in the left atrium, left auricular appendage, right atrium and right auricular appendage were significantly higher than in control animals (all P < 0.05). Moreover, nerve density was significantly higher in the right atrium than in the left atrium in dogs with AF. Microscopic examinations revealed an inhomogeneous distribution of cardiac nerves.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant nerve sprouting and pneumogastric nerve remodeling were evidenced in the right and left atrium in a canine model of sustained AF induced by 48 hours right atrial pacing.
Laboratory of Arrhythmia, Frist Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China.
Fu-sheng
FS
Yu
Yan
Y
Zhang
Yan
Y
Feng
Ling
L
Zhang
Yan-hong
YH
Ma
Wei
W
Song
Yue-mei
YM
Hou
D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*