Berberine Ameliorates Atrial Remodeling and Inhibits the Atrial Fibrillation of Mice via Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome

Increased cardiomyocyte-specific activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Berberine (BBR) exhibits numerous beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. This study investigated how the NLRP3 inflammasome regulates susceptibility to hypertension-induced AF and the effects of BBR on this susceptibility. Blood pressure was monitored in mice using a tail pressure sensor device. AF was induced by burst stimulation of the esophagus. The target proteins of BBR were screened by network pharmacology, and molecular docking was performed. The changes in atrial tissue structure were observed by pathological tissue staining and transmission electron microscopy. Western blot analysis was used for protein verification. Intracellular CA²⁺ release was detected by confocal laser microscopy and the IonOptix system. We found that in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced AF, NLRP3 inflammasome activation was inhibited, ultimately inhibiting hypertensive AF susceptibility. In a recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9)-NLRP3 overexpression model, BBR mitigated the increase in systolic blood pressure and the development and progression of AF by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. This study provides hitherto undocumented evidence that the NLRP3 inflammasome acts as a critical regulator in the progression of Ang II-induced AF and that BBR may serve as a viable treatment for AF by inhibiting NLRP3.

NLRP3 inflammasome; angiotensin II; atrial fibrillation; berberine; electrical remodeling.