The Diagnostic and Predictive Potential of miR-328 in Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from a Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Model

Figures

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  Figure 1. Systolic blood pressure (A) and mean 24 h heart rate (B) in young, adult, and aging normotensive (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). # p < 0.01; * p < 0.001; ** p < 0.0001. Data expressed as medians and interquartile ranges; p-values obtained using Mann–Whitney U test.

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  Figure 2. The left atrial levels of the six microRNAs that had significantly different expressions in the spontaneously hypertensive rats compared to their normotensive controls according to age. The values represent microRNA levels normalized with U6 small nuclear RNA levels. The data are expressed as medians and interquartile ranges; the p-values presented in this figure were calculated using the Mann–Whitney U test; * p < 0.001; ** p < 0.0001.

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  Figure 3. The circulating levels of the five microRNAs that had significantly different expressions in the spontaneously hypertensive rats compared to their normotensive controls according to age. The values represent microRNA levels normalized with U6 small nuclear RNA levels. The data are expressed as medians and interquartile ranges; the p-values presented in this figure were calculated using the Mann–Whitney U test; * p < 0.01; ** p < 0.001.

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  Figure 4. Correlations between atrial and circulating levels of the seven microRNAs that were detectable both in the atrium and in peripheral blood in the spontaneously hypertensive rats. The values represent microRNA levels normalized with U6 small nuclear RNA levels. p-values were obtained using the Pearson and Spearman tests, depending on data distribution.

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  Figure 5. Increased levels of miR-328 in adult and aging SHRs are likely to lead to decreased L-type Ca(2+) current (ICa,L) activity and action potential (AP) shortening via the downregulation of CACNA1C and CACNB expression, and, consequently, to the occurrence of premature atrial contractions and atrial fibrillation occurrence. AF—atrial fibrillation; PACs—premature atrial contractions; SHR—spontaneously hypertensive rat; WKY—Wistar Kyoto.

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  Figure 6. Electrocardiographic tracings showing (A) an atrial fibrillation (AF) episode and (B) premature atrial contractions (PACs).