Thiols and disulfide levels are correlated with TIMI thrombus grade in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction patients

Aim: We investigated the relationship between thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) thrombus grade and thiol/disulfide levels. Materials & methods: 182 non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients were divided into two groups; TIMI grade 0 patients who do not have any visible thrombus in their culprit vessels, and TIMI thrombus grade 1–5 patients. Results: Native and total thiol levels and disulfide to thiol ratio were higher in the low thrombus group. In addition, thrombus grade was positively correlated with disulfide to native and total thiol ratio and negatively with native and total thiol levels in NSTEMI patients. Conclusion: We can assert that thiol levels tend to decrease and the disulfide to thiol ratio increase, with the increasing thrombus burden in NSTEMI patients.