Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by decreased L-type calcium current (I Ca, L) in atrial
myocytes and decreased atrial contractility. Oxidant stress and redox modulation of calcium
channels are implicated in these pathologic changes. We evaluated the relationship
between glutathione content (the primary cellular reducing moiety) and I Ca, L in atrial
specimens from AF patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Left atrial glutathione content was
significantly lower in patients with either paroxysmal or persistent AF relative to control …