Oxidative Stress as a Mechanism of Cardiac Failure in Chronic Volume Overload in Canine Model

We investigated the effects of chronic volume overload in the absence or presence of vitamin E supplements on the cardiac function and contractility, cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA) —a lipid peroxidation product —cardiac antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant reserve in canine model. The dogs were divided into three groups of seven dogs each: group I, control; group II, mitral regurgitation (MR) of 4 months duration; and group III, MR of 4 months duration receiving vitamin E (40 U /kg /daily) orally. MR was created by detaching two or more chordae tendinae to raise left atrial pressure to 2.5 to three times normal. MR produced a decrease in the index of myocardial contractility with little change in myocardial function. Decrease in myocardial (left and right ventricles) contractility was associated with an increase in cardiac MDA, and a decrease in cardiac antioxidant reserve and antioxidant enzyme activity. Prevention of volume overload-induced decrease in myocardial contractility by vitamin E was associated with a decrease in cardiac MDA and an increase in cardiac antioxidant reserve and glutathione peroxidase activity towards control levels. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity remained depressed in vitamin E-treated group. The results indicate that chronic volume overload decreases the contractility of both right and left ventricles and is associated with oxidative stress in both ventricles. These results support the hypothesis that oxygen free radicals are involved in the chronic volume overload-induced cardiac depression.