Coronary angioplasty induced oxidative stress and its relation with metoprolol use and plasma homocysteine levels

Short episodes of myocardial ischemia during coronary angioplasty may induce oxidative stress and increase lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of metoprolol on lipid peroxidation by measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TRAP) in patients undergoing angioplasty. The relations between homocysteine level and lipid peroxidation were also studied.

Forty-six patients (mean age 57 years, 37 males) undergoing elective angioplasty were enrolled. Metoprolol treatment was initiated in 27 patients (group 1), meanwhile 19 patients could not take metoprolol due to diverse contraindications (group 2).

Following angioplasty, while venous MDA levels decreased in group 1 (0.188+/-0.021 vs. 0.159+/-0.020 nmol/ml, p=0.05), an increase was detected in group 2 (0.203+/-0.025 vs. 0.229+/-0.024 nmol/ml, p=0.045) as compared with baseline levels. In group 1, TRAP levels markedly increased after angioplasty in venous samples (1.201+/-0.036 vs. 1.478+/-0.044 mmol/L, p=0.0001). However, small increase was observed for TRAP in group 2 (1.274+/-0.043 vs. 1.363+/-0.053 mmol/L, p=0.05). There was no significant change in plasma homocysteine levels with angioplasty. There was no significant correlation between homocysteine, changes in MDA and TRAP levels either.

Administration of metoprolol may cause a reduction in the oxidative stress and an increase in the antioxidant activity in patients undergoing elective angioplasty.