High-Salt Diet Inhibits the Expression of Bmal1 and Promotes Atrial Fibrosis and Vulnerability to Atrial Fibrillation in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats

Hypertension is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), and brain and muscle arnt-like protein 1 (Bmal1) regulate circadian blood pressure and is implicated in several fibrotic disorders. Our hypothesis that Bmal1 inhibits atrial fibrosis and susceptibility to AF in salt-sensitive hypertension (SSHT) and our study provides a new target for the pathogenesis of AF induced by hypertension.