BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that right-sided @entity258 ( @entity258 ) is an effective approach for the treatment of @entity955 ( @entity955 ) induced by rapid atrial pacing (RAP) and acts by preventing the loss of atrial connexins (Cxs). Whether a left-sided approach would achieve the same effect remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that left-sided @entity258 would inhibit @entity955 by preserving atrial Cxs as effectively as right-sided @entity258 . METHODS: Bilateral thoracotomies allowed the attachment of multi-electrode catheters to the pulmonary vein (PV) and non-PV sites in 32 anaesthetized beagles. The @entity235 were randomly divided into 3 groups: RAP group (9 hours of rapid atrial pacing at the left appendage, N=10), @entity258 group (9-h RAP plus @entity258 , N=12) and Control group (sham RAP without @entity258 , N=10). Alligator clips were clipped on the tragus of the left ear for electrical stimulation (20 Hz, 1 ms square waves). A voltage of stimulation setting at 80% below the threshold that slowed the sinus rate was defined as @entity258 . Electrophysiological parameters were measured at baseline and 9 hours after pacing. Connexin proteins from atrial tissues were measured at the end of the protocol. RESULTS: RAP induced a significant reduction in the effective refractory period (ERP) and an increase in @entity955 inducibility (P <0.05). However, left-sided @entity258 reversed the ERP reduction induced by RAP as well as the increase in @entity955 inducibility. It also shortened the @entity955 duration and prolonged the @entity955 cycle length, which are associated with @entity41952 and @entity22602 up-regulation (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We propose that left-sided @entity258 exerts its anti- @entity955 effects via up-regulation of Cxs as effectively as right-sided @entity258 , suggesting that @entity258 for @entity955 suppression is not unique to the right tragus nerve.

Left-sided Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation Suppresses @entity955 by Up-regulating Atrial Gap Junctions in XXXX .

@entity41952 :: ('483155(Tax:9615)', 'Gene') :: ['Cx40'] @entity235 :: ('9615', 'Species') :: ['dogs'] @entity22602 :: ('403418(Tax:9615)', 'Gene') :: ['Cx43'] @entity955 :: ('MESH:D001281', 'Disease') :: ['atrial fibrillation', 'AF'] @entity258 :: ('MESH:D009800', 'Disease') :: ['low-level tragus nerve stimulation', 'LL-TS']
@entity235 :: (9615,Species) :: ['Canines']
