Antioxidative system evaluation in patients with ischemic heart disease

The role of free radicals in the etiology and pathogenesis of cardiac diseases and in the development of atherosclerosis has recently attracted ever more interest. The body has a complex antioxidative mechanism of protection which eliminates or neutralizes the toxic effects of free radicals.The aim of the study was to determine the value of total antioxidative system (TAS) and activities of the superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) in patients with ischemic heart disease. Thirty patients were included in the study, i.e. 18 with myocardial infarction (IM) and 12 with angina pectoris (AP). Control group (C) consisted of 60 healthy age-matched subjects of both sex. Blood samples were obtained at 12, 36, 84 and 120 h after the onset of chest pain. Serum TAS values and erythrocyte SOD activity were determined (Randox Lab, UK). In both groups of patients, the mean TAS values were significantly lower compared to the control group (xIM=1.54 +/- 0.54,  xAP= 1.44 +/-0.48,  xC= 1.67 +/- 0.2 mmol/L, p is less than 0.05). The mean values of SOD activity were also significantly lower in both patients groups compared to the control group ( xIM=137.17 +/- 49,  xAP=128.33 +/- 36.76,  xC=160 +/- 31.6 U/L, p is less than 0.05). A reduced functional capacity of the antioxidative system is a complex disorder influencing the development of ischemic heart disease.