Objectives: To examine enzymatic antioxidants catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (Er-GSH) in erythrocytes of patients with recent-onset (<48 hours) AF and structurally normal hearts.
Methods: We examined 33 patients (60.03±1.93 years, 17 males) and 33 healthy controls (59.27±1.72 years, 17 males). Blood samples were collected prior to medical treatment (baseline), on 24th hour and 28th day after sinus rhythm restoration. Selenium was quantified by atomic-absorption spectrometry and GSH-Px was measured by spectrophotometric assay.
Results: At baseline, patients’ GSH-Px and selenium were decreased (25.51±1.08 vs 31.01±1.11 nmoles/min/mgHb, p<0.001; 70.91±1.97 vs 77.15±1.87 mcg/L, p<0.05). On 24th hour GSH-Px was diminished (26.71±1.39 vs 31.01±1.11 nmoles/min/mgHb, p<0.05) whereas selenium approximated that of controls (74.06±2.04 vs 77.15±1.87 mcg/L, p>0.05). No significant differences were observed on 28th day (GSH-Px - 30.19±0.81 vs 31.01±1.11 nmoles/min/mgHb, p>0.05; selenium - 75.15±1.84 vs 77.15±1.87 mcg/L, p>0.05).
Conclusions: Our results show that recent-onset AF in structurally normal hearts is associated with Se deficiency and loss of GSH-Px activity. Early changes in status of Se and GSH-Px make us assume they are related to AF triggering mechanisms.