Female patients with atrial fibrillation have increased oxidized and glycated lipoprotein properties and lower apolipoprotein A-I expression in HDL.

It is well-known that oxidative stress and inflammatory processes are linked to the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). In order to provide prognostic biomarkers for AF based on lipoprotein levels, we compared the lipid and protein parameters of oxidation and inflammation in individual lipoproteins from middle-aged females with AF. We analyzed plasma and lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, HDL2, HDL3) from 11 female patients (mean age, 56±15 years) with paroxysmal lone AF and from a reference group of 10 female patients of similar age (mean age, 54±15 years). The AF group had normal levels of serum lipids and an inflammatory profile, except for a 7.5- and 6-fold elevation in hsCRP and tropoinin I levels, respectively. No significant differences existed in serum lipids, glucose, uric acid, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels between the AF and control groups. The lipoprotein particles from the AF group were more oxidized and glycated with higher triacylglycerol content compared to the control group and the particle size was smaller. The lipoprotein particles from the AF group promoted more foam cell formation via accelerated phagocytosis by macrophages compared to the control group. HDL2 and HDL3 from the AF group showed decreased antioxidant ability and an approximately 30% lower expression of apoA-I compared to the control group. All of these modified properties of lipoproteins, including oxidation and glycation, might be linked to the lower antioxidant ability and elevated inflammatory parameters in women with AF.