Metoprolol prevents chronic obstructive sleep apnea-induced atrial fibrillation by inhibiting structural, sympathetic nervous and metabolic remodeling of the atria

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 2;7(1):14941. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14960-2.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may promote the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) by inducing atrial electrical and structural remodeling as well as autonomic nerve hyperinnervation. Here, we investigated the roles of metoprolol in regulation of atrial remodeling induced by chronic OSA. A canine model of chronic OSA was established by stopping the ventilator and closing the airway for 4 h/day every other day for 12 weeks, while metoprolol (5 mg·kg-1·day-1) was continuously administered. Using that model, we observed that increases in sympathetic sprouting and atrial structural remodeling were sharply inhibited by metoprolol. Moreover, metoprolol dramatically inhibited the impairment of atrial energy metabolism by activating the Sirt1-AMPK pathway. In vitro, metoprolol significantly activated the Sirt1-AMPK pathway in intermittent hypoxic and isoproterenol-treated HL-1 cells, and the effect was abolished by the coadministration of EX-527, an inhibitor of Sirt1 activation. In summary, metoprolol protects against chronic OSA-induced atrial remodeling. Our results suggest a new and feasible treatment strategy for AF induced by OSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Atrial Fibrillation / etiology*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / metabolism
  • Atrial Fibrillation / pathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / prevention & control*
  • Atrial Remodeling / drug effects*
  • Cell Line
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dogs
  • Heart Atria / drug effects*
  • Heart Atria / metabolism
  • Heart Atria / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metoprolol / pharmacology
  • Metoprolol / therapeutic use*
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications*

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Protein Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Sirtuin 1
  • Metoprolol