[Activity of antioxidative enzymes of the myocardium during ischemia]

Activation of lipid peroxidation during myocardial ischemia may be determined by the reduction of the enzymatic antioxidant cell protection. Such a conclusion has been drawn on the basis of an analysis of variation in the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathion peroxidase and catalase in experimental myocardial ischemia in rats, induced by ligation of the left descending artery of the heart. In the early period of ischemia (1-3 h) the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutation peroxidase markedly decreases. In the periischemic zone, the fall in the enzymatic activity is not so pronounced. The activity of the enzymes does not reach the basic level 5 days after the operation.