[Lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidative systems of an organism in experimental streptococcal myocarditis and...

Lipid peroxidation rate and activity of glutathione and tocopherol antioxidant systems were studied in rats with experimental streptococcal myocarditis and in patients with rheumatic carditis. During the acute period of inflammation content of diene conjugates and activity of glutathione reductase were increased in myocardium and erythrocytes of rats simultaneously with a decrease in tocopherol concentration in blood plasma. In the patients with rheumatic carditis activation of lipid peroxidation and the glutathione reductase was found in erythrocytes as well as a decrease of the tocopherol content--in blood plasma. Interrelationship between alterations in these patterns and their functions in rheumatic carditis pathogenesis are discussed.