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Mascarenhas L, Downey M, Schwartz G, Adabag S. Antiarrhythmic effects of metformin. Heart Rhythm O2 2024; 5:310-320. [PMID: 38840768 PMCID: PMC11148504 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) is a major public health problem and is associated with stroke, heart failure, dementia, and death. It is estimated that 20%-30% of Americans will develop AF at some point in their life. Current medications to prevent AF have limited efficacy and significant adverse effects. Newer and safer therapies to prevent AF are needed. Ventricular arrhythmias are less prevalent than AF but may have significant consequences including sudden cardiac death. Metformin is the most prescribed, first-line medication for treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). It decreases hepatic glucose production but also reduces inflammation and oxidative stress. Experimental studies have shown that metformin improves metabolic, electrical, and histologic risk factors associated with AF and ventricular arrhythmias. Furthermore, in large clinical observational studies, metformin has been associated with a reduced risk of AF in people with DM. These data suggest that metformin may have antiarrhythmic properties and may be a candidate to be repurposed as a medication to prevent cardiac arrhythmias. In this article, we review the clinical observational and experimental evidence for the association between metformin and cardiac arrhythmias. We also discuss the potential antiarrhythmic mechanisms underlying this association. Repurposing a well-tolerated, safe, and inexpensive medication to prevent cardiac arrhythmias has significant positive public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Mascarenhas
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Michael Downey
- Department of Cardiology, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Gregory Schwartz
- Cardiology Section, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Selcuk Adabag
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Cardiology, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Le Quilliec E, Fundere A, Al-U’datt DGF, Hiram R. Pollutants, including Organophosphorus and Organochloride Pesticides, May Increase the Risk of Cardiac Remodeling and Atrial Fibrillation: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2427. [PMID: 37760868 PMCID: PMC10525278 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac rhythm disorder. Recent clinical and experimental studies reveal that environmental pollutants, including organophosphorus-organochloride pesticides and air pollution, may contribute to the development of cardiac arrhythmias including AF. Here, we discussed the unifying cascade of events that may explain the role of pollutant exposure in the development of AF. Following ingestion and inhalation of pollution-promoting toxic compounds, damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) stimuli activate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress that may negatively affect the respiratory, cognitive, digestive, and cardiac systems. Although the detailed mechanisms underlying the association between pollutant exposure and the incidence of AF are not completely elucidated, some clinical reports and fundamental research data support the idea that pollutant poisoning can provoke perturbed ion channel function, myocardial electrical abnormalities, decreased action potential duration, slowed conduction, contractile dysfunction, cardiac fibrosis, and arrhythmias including AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewen Le Quilliec
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada;
| | - Alexia Fundere
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada;
| | - Doa’a G. F. Al-U’datt
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Roddy Hiram
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada;
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Donniacuo M, De Angelis A, Telesca M, Bellocchio G, Riemma MA, Paolisso P, Scisciola L, Cianflone E, Torella D, Castaldo G, Capuano A, Urbanek K, Berrino L, Rossi F, Cappetta D. Atrial fibrillation: Epigenetic aspects and role of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Pharmacol Res 2023; 188:106591. [PMID: 36502999 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Pathophysiological aspects consist in the activation of pro-fibrotic signaling and Ca2+ handling abnormalities at atrial level. Structural and electrical remodeling creates a substrate for AF by triggering conduction abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias. The care of AF patients focuses predominantly on anticoagulation, symptoms control and the management of risk factors and comorbidities. The goal of AF therapy points to restore sinus rhythm, re-establish atrioventricular synchrony and improve atrial contribution to the stroke volume. New layer of information to better comprehend AF pathophysiology, and identify targets for novel pharmacological interventions consists of the epigenetic phenomena including, among others, DNA methylation, histone modifications and noncoding RNAs. Moreover, the benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients at cardiovascular risk as well as emerging evidence on the ability of SGLT2i to modify epigenetic signature in cardiovascular diseases provide a solid background to investigate a possible role of this drug class in the onset and progression of AF. In this review, following a summary of pathophysiology and management, epigenetic mechanisms in AF and the potential of sodium-glucose SGLT2i in AF patients are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Donniacuo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - A De Angelis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - M Telesca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - G Bellocchio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - M A Riemma
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - P Paolisso
- Cardiovascular Center Aalst, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via A. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - L Scisciola
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - E Cianflone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - D Torella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - G Castaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via A. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Advanced, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - A Capuano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - K Urbanek
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Via A. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; CEINGE-Advanced, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - L Berrino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - F Rossi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - D Cappetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Integrative Computational Modeling of Cardiomyocyte Calcium Handling and Cardiac Arrhythmias: Current Status and Future Challenges. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071090. [PMID: 35406654 PMCID: PMC8997666 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocyte calcium-handling is the key mediator of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. In the healthy heart, calcium controls both electrical impulse propagation and myofilament cross-bridge cycling, providing synchronous and adequate contraction of cardiac muscles. However, calcium-handling abnormalities are increasingly implicated as a cause of cardiac arrhythmias. Due to the complex, dynamic and localized interactions between calcium and other molecules within a cardiomyocyte, it remains experimentally challenging to study the exact contributions of calcium-handling abnormalities to arrhythmogenesis. Therefore, multiscale computational modeling is increasingly being used together with laboratory experiments to unravel the exact mechanisms of calcium-mediated arrhythmogenesis. This article describes various examples of how integrative computational modeling makes it possible to unravel the arrhythmogenic consequences of alterations to cardiac calcium handling at subcellular, cellular and tissue levels, and discusses the future challenges on the integration and interpretation of such computational data.
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Research Progress on Natural Products’ Therapeutic Effects on Atrial Fibrillation by Regulating Ion Channels. Cardiovasc Ther 2022; 2022:4559809. [PMID: 35387267 PMCID: PMC8964196 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4559809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) have a therapeutic effect on atrial fibrillation (AF) by regulating the function of ion channels. However, several adverse effects and high recurrence rates after drug withdrawal seriously affect patients’ medication compliance and clinical prognosis. Thus, safer and more effective drugs are urgently needed. Active components extracted from natural products are potential choices for AF therapy. Natural products like Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen, Sophora flavescens Ait., Stephania tetrandra S. Moore., Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi var. thomsonii (Benth.) Vaniot der Maesen., and Coptis chinensis Franch. have a long history in the treatment of arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure in China. Based on the classification of chemical structures, this article discussed the natural product components’ therapeutic effects on atrial fibrillation by regulating ion channels, connexins, and expression of related genes, in order to provide a reference for development of therapeutic drugs for atrial fibrillation.
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Mechanisms Underlying Antiarrhythmic Properties of Cardioprotective Agents Impacting Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031416. [PMID: 35163340 PMCID: PMC8835881 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevention of cardiac life-threatening ventricular fibrillation and stroke-provoking atrial fibrillation remains a serious global clinical issue, with ongoing need for novel approaches. Numerous experimental and clinical studies suggest that oxidative stress and inflammation are deleterious to cardiovascular health, and can increase heart susceptibility to arrhythmias. It is quite interesting, however, that various cardio-protective compounds with antiarrhythmic properties are potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory agents. These most likely target the pro-arrhythmia primary mechanisms. This review and literature-based analysis presents a realistic view of antiarrhythmic efficacy and the molecular mechanisms of current pharmaceuticals in clinical use. These include the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors used in diabetes treatment, statins in dyslipidemia and naturally protective omega-3 fatty acids. This approach supports the hypothesis that prevention or attenuation of oxidative and inflammatory stress can abolish pro-arrhythmic factors and the development of an arrhythmia substrate. This could prove a powerful tool of reducing cardiac arrhythmia burden.
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