[Oxidative damage to the myocardium: the protective action of exogenous phosphocreatine]

Oxidative damage of the isolated perfused rat heart was caused by addition of 90 microM H2O into Krebs-Henseleit solution. After 20 min of H2O2 addition an elevation of diastolic pressure (irreversible contracture) was observed followed by decrease of developed tension and heart work. Addition of phosphocreatine (10 mM) at constant total sodium concentration prevented the development of contracture and diminished the decrease of cardiac work. This protective effect is probably related to the elevation of structural order of phospholipids by phosphocreatine.