Project 458185

Atrial fibrillation (AF), a chronic heart disease, affects nearly 1 million Canadians. Current therapy for AF focusses on controlling the rate and rhythm of the heart. However, these therapies are inadequate and many patients continue to suffer. The immune system protects the body from bacteria and viruses. However, it can also cause AF. Inflammation from the immune system that goes on for a long time can cause AF. People with AF have over-activation of the immune system in their heart cells. However, there are no therapies that reduce heart inflammation as a way to treat AF. There are a special class of molecules produced from omega-3 polyunsaturated acids called resolvins. Resolvins are able to 'resolve' inflammation that gets out of hand. However, it is unknown if resolvins can help reduce heart inflammation that occurs with AF. Additionally, we do not know much about how these special resolvin molecules work. So, our goal is to understand how resolvins help to reduce inflammation and if they would be an effective therapy for AF-induced inflammation in the heart. First we will assess if the levels of resolvins change in hearts with AF. Then, we will determine if resolvin treatment of AF hearts can reduce the inflammation. Lastly, we will investigate how resolvins work to reduce inflammation in the heart by using specialized cellular techniques. This study will provide valuable information about how inflammation can cause AF and how we can treat it using resolvin therapy. This may lead to the development of new medications to help treat AF in Canadians.