Interaction of H 2O 2 and dithiothreitol and the genesis of cellular damage in the perfused rat heart

Abstract

1. H 2O 2 (0.3 mM) causes release of creatine kinase (CK) from the perfused rat heart, but only when activated by removal of extracellular Ca 2+. 2. Dithiothreitol (DTT), 2 mM, provides partial protection against this damage induced by artificiallyintroduced O 2 radicals. 3. Paradoxically, DTT triggers CK release by H 2O 2 in the presence of extracellular Ca 2+. The interaction of these agents in stimulating and protecting against this damage to the sarcolemma is discussed.