Carvedilol modifies antioxidant status of patients with stable angina

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Patients with stable angina exhibit reduced enzymatic antioxidative defense and plasma antioxidant activity compared to healthy individuals.
• Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of stable angina.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of carvedilol on enzymatic antioxidant defense and plasma antioxidant activity in patients with stable angina.
• To assess the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities during carvedilol therapy.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 30 patients with stable angina and 12 healthy volunteers.
• Carvedilol administered in escalating doses (12.5, 25, 50 mg/24 h) for 4 weeks each.
• Measurement of SOD-1, GSH-Px, CAT activities in erythrocytes and plasma antioxidant activity before and at 4, 8, 12 weeks post-therapy.

Main Results:

• Enzymatic antioxidative defense was significantly lower in stable angina patients than in controls.
• Carvedilol therapy led to increased SOD-1, GSH-Px, and CAT activities.
• GSH-Px activity in patients approached levels of healthy subjects by 8 and 12 weeks.
• Carvedilol enhanced plasma antioxidant activity, though it remained lower than in controls.

Conclusions:

• Carvedilol effectively enhances antioxidant defense mechanisms in patients suffering from chronic stable angina pectoris.
• The study suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of carvedilol in mitigating oxidative stress associated with stable angina.