Abstract
Isolated, isovolumic rat hearts, perfused by Krebs-Henseleit buffer at constant coronary flow rate, were used to explore the hypothesis that endogenous cardiac glutathione provides protection against myocardial dysfunction associated with short periods of ischemia. Experimental animals were depleted of cardiac glutathione to 35% of control levels by intraperitoneal injections of diethylmaleate (DEM). Left ventricular pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, and glutathione levels were measured in control and experimental hearts after 60 minutes of oxygenated perfusion and after 20 minutes of global, no-flow ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion. With each protocol, both control and glutathione-depleted hearts received either standard buffer or one supplemented with 2 mM glutathione. Recovery of systolic function after ischemia-reperfusion was impaired in DEM-treated hearts compared with controls. In addition, the rise in perfusion pressure and chamber stiffness was also greater in DEM-treated hearts compared with controls. Recovery in glutathione-depleted hearts was improved when the reperfusate was supplemented with glutathione. In addition, the supplemented reperfusate prevented the decrease in compliance and the increase in coronary perfusion pressure in the glutathione-depleted hearts. Ischemia-reperfusion alone were not associated with a significant alteration in myocardial glutathione levels. Prewashout myocardial levels of glutathione were elevated after reperfusion with glutathione-supplemented buffer but fell to baseline levels after a short washout period. These studies demonstrate that endogenous glutathione is important in protection of myocardium from injury after ischemia-reperfusion, presumably by modifying levels of active oxygen intermediates. The smaller changes in left ventricular pressure and coronary resistance after administration of GSH probably reflects an extracellular mechanism because benefit is seen soon after reperfusion.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
