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Inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and physical performance: a possible association in older patients with persistent atrial fibrillation—the results of a preliminary study

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Abstract

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with chronic inflammation, a hallmark of ageing process. The aim of this study was to determine interleukin-6 (IL-6)-associated variables, also exploring acylcarnitines, expression of mitochondrial abnormalities.

Methods

We evaluated 22 controls and 50 patients with persistent AF. IL-6 and acylcarnitines were measured with ELISA kits and mass spectrometry techniques.

Results

IL-6 concentration (mean: 3.9 ± 3.1 pg/mL) was lower in controls and increased in AF patients, especially with heart failure. The CHA2DS2-VASc, the MMSE and the SPPB scores were 3.8 ± 1.6, 28 ± 2 and 9.4 ± 2.1. Thirteen acylcanitines correlated with IL-6. At multivariable analysis, IL-6 was directly associated with C4-OH—a short-chain acylcarnitine, fibrinogen and alanine aminotransferase values, and with hyperuricemia. An inverse association existed with calcium concentration and SPPB score.

Conclusions

In older AF patients, IL-6 correlated with acylcarnitines and lower physical performance. Alterations in energy production, reduced physical function and inflammation could contribute to frailty development.

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Fig. 1

Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Geriatric Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmia Unit, University of Florence, Largo G. Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy

    Stefano Fumagalli, Giulia Ricciardi, Claudia Di Serio, Riccardo Franci Montorzi, Emanuele Santamaria, Giulia Spanalatte, Francesca Marchetti, Ginevra Corti, Laura Pinton & Niccolò Marchionni

  2. Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences ‘Mario Serio’, Newborn Screening, Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology Lab, Meyer Children’s Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Giancarlo La Marca

  3. Department of Health Sciences, CISM Mass Spectrometry Centre, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Giuseppe Pieraccini

Authors
  1. Stefano Fumagalli
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  2. Giulia Ricciardi
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  3. Claudia Di Serio
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  4. Giancarlo La Marca
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  5. Giuseppe Pieraccini
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  6. Riccardo Franci Montorzi
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  7. Emanuele Santamaria
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  8. Giulia Spanalatte
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  9. Francesca Marchetti
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  10. Ginevra Corti
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  11. Laura Pinton
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  12. Niccolò Marchionni
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Biological data collection and interpretation were performed by GR, CDS, GLM and GP. Clinical data collection and interpretation were performed by the other authors. Analysis of data was performed by SF and GR. The first draft of the manuscript was written by SF. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript, read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefano Fumagalli.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no funding, no employment and no financial interests to disclose. Non-financial interests: Stefano Fumagalli is a member of the Editorial Board of Aging Clinical and Experimental Research.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the institutional research committee and was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.

Statement of human and animal rights

This study was not conducted on animals. The authors adhered to the guidelines for conducting research involving human subjects.

Informed consent

All patients gave their informed consent to participate to the study.

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Fumagalli, S., Ricciardi, G., Di Serio, C. et al. Inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and physical performance: a possible association in older patients with persistent atrial fibrillation—the results of a preliminary study. Aging Clin Exp Res 35, 2831–2837 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02558-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02558-w

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