Dex conversely increased the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 (P<0.05), but not ADAMTS5. Stimulation by H2O2 caused the dramatic reduction in COL2A1 (P<0.01) and aggrecan (P<0.01) expression and increase in MMP-3 (P<0.01), MMP-13 (P<0.01), and ADAMTS (P<0.05) expression in AF chondrocytes. Here, MMP3 is linked to atrial fibrillation.