Frequency of vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA)-positive Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and TGF-β1 decrease in atrial...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is widespread.
• The role of H. pylori infection, specifically VacA toxin, in AF pathogenesis is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between VacA-positive H. pylori infection and atrial fibrillation.
• To examine the relationship between transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and AF.
• To assess the levels of specific cytokines in AF patients with H. pylori infection.

Main Methods:

• Serum antibody levels to H. pylori and VacA were measured using ELISA.
• Serum cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, TGF-β1) were assessed in 96 subjects.
• Comparison of biomarker levels between AF patients and a control group.

Main Results:

• Elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP were associated with AF.
• TGF-β1 levels were significantly lower in AF patients (p=0.021).
• AF patients showed elevated antibodies to VacA (p=0.023) compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Chronic infection with VacA-positive H. pylori may elevate AF risk.
• This risk may be mediated by systemic inflammation.
• Suppressed TGF-β1 and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines potentially contribute to AF development.