NLRP3 and atrial fibrillation: In in vivo evaluations on AF-punctured rat models, melatonin treatment demonstrated the upper expression of collagen II and aggrecan and lower level of NLRP3, P20, and IL-1β in comparison to melatonin+ LPS (NLRP3 inflammasome activator) injection, indicating the anti-degenerative and anti-inflammatory response of melatonin against NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activation [116].