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Oxygen radicals and myocardial stunning
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Journal of Cardiac Surgery
|May 1, 1994
Summary
Oxygen free radicals contribute to myocardial stunning after heart ischemia. Antioxidant enzymes may reduce this damage by preventing lipid peroxidation and calcium overload.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ischemia and reperfusion can generate oxygen free radicals.
- These radicals may cause myocardial stunning via cell damage and calcium overload.
- Lipid peroxidation is a suspected mechanism of radical-induced cell injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of oxygen free radicals in myocardial stunning.
- To explore the potential of antioxidant strategies against ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pig heart model of stunning.
- Assessed the impact of radical scavenger enzymes on stress response protein mRNA.
- Examined evidence of cell membrane and organelle dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Indirect evidence suggests free radicals contribute to stunning.
- Radical scavengers reduced heat shock protein 71 mRNA expression.
- Observed signs of cell membrane and organelle damage consistent with lipid peroxidation.
Conclusions:
- Oxygen free radicals are implicated in myocardial stunning.
- Antioxidant enzymes show promise in mitigating free radical damage.
- Strategies involving antioxidant enzymes or stress proteins could protect the heart during postischemic reflow.