[Changes in enzyme activity in extra-infarct portions of the myocardium after administration of nitroglycerin]

Nitroglycerin administration to rabbits with experimental myocardial infarction induced in extrainfarctional areas of the cardiac muscle the activity of dehydrogenases of succinate, lactate, glucoso-6- phospate , glutamate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and nonspecific esterase. This suggests the intensification of the redox reactions in Crebs ' cycle, the increased utilization of fatty acids by cardiomyocytes to meet energy requirements, a decreased degree of acidosis in these myocardial sites and the intensification of glucose direct oxidation and nitrogen metabolism normalization. The beneficial influence of nitroglycerin on many metabolic processes in the intact myocardial areas during the local impairment of the coronary blood flow may account for the improvement of left ventricular contractility observed in myocardial infarction following the administration of this drug.