Leaky Gut Triggers Atrial Fibrillation in Aging via a Key Stress Kinase
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder and becomes far more prevalent with age. Researchers at Ohio State and Rush University have discovered a molecular link between a leaky gut and AF: a stress-activated enzyme called JNK2. When the gut barrier breaks down — as commonly happens with aging — inflammatory signals like TNF-α, IL-17A, and bacterial lipopolysaccharide leak into the bloodstream and activate JNK2 in heart tissue. This triggers abnormal calcium handling in atrial cells, causing the electrical misfires that lead to AF. In mouse models, restoring gut barrier integrity, blocking JNK2, or neutralizing TNF-α all reduced AF risk. The findings position JNK2 as a central hub connecting gut inflammation to heart arrhythmia, and suggest new therapeutic targets for a condition that affects millions of older adults.