# Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Homeostasis, and Sirtuins in Atrial Fibrillation

## TL;DR

This review explores how mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress contribute to atrial fibrillation and how sirtuins may help by restoring mitochondrial health.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the novel role of sirtuins in mitigating atrial fibrillation through their effects on mitochondrial homeostasis and oxidative stress.

## Key findings

- Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are key contributors to atrial fibrillation.
- Sirtuins may protect against atrial fibrillation by reducing oxidative stress and restoring mitochondrial function.
- Impaired mitochondrial quality control leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and energy deficiency in atrial fibrillation.

## Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Yet, its treatment has serious challenges and is unsuccessful in a considerable fraction of patients. One reason may be a limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AF. Recent studies suggest that oxidative stress is involved in AF pathogenesis. Enhanced oxidative stress is largely determined by disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis, as cardiomyocytes heavily rely on mitochondrial energy production and calcium transfer between mitochondria and the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Atrial fibrillation involves metabolic, structural, and electrical remodeling, all of which are influenced by mitochondrial mechanisms. Mitochondrial homeostasis is controlled by mitochondrial quality control (mtQC), which is a multi-pathway mechanism to maintain integrity and functionality of mitochondria. Impaired mtQC may result in disturbed mitochondria-related calcium handling, decreased energy production, mitochondria-related inflammation and fibrosis, and impaired mitophagy. Sirtuins (SIRTs) are a family of seven members of histone deacetylases which have antioxidant properties, and three of them are localized to mitochondria. Therefore, at least some SIRTs may ameliorate enhanced oxidative stress related to damaged mitochondria. SIRTs have shown potential to improve AF outcomes in studies on AF patients and animal models. Therefore, SIRTs may have potential to ameliorate AF by decreasing oxidative stress and restoring mitochondrial homeostasis disrupted in AF. In this narrative review, we provide information on how mitochondrial dysfunctions, expressed as a disturbance in mtQC, contribute to AF through oxidative stress, calcium handling abnormalities, energy deficiency, inflammation and fibrosis, and genetic changes. In addition, we present the protective potential of sirtuins in AF.