Protein oxidation and antioxidants in myocardial infarction

Background and objectives: Oxidative stress, a condition in which oxidant/ antioxidant balance shifts towards oxidants has been implicated in pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cardiovascular system may be harmful by oxidizing macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids, causing cardiomyopathy. Hence this study was undertaken to evaluate protein oxidation in myocardial in/arction (MI) patients along with trace elements which are involved in free radical generation. Intracellular antioxidant status appears to be a sensitive indicator of cell's overall health and also its ability to resist toxic challenge. Hence antioxidants were also studied. Methods: 25 cases of myocardial infarction and 25 age and sex matched controls were studied. Advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), total protein, albumin, total thiols, reduced glutathione (GSH), iron, copper were estimated in plasma by using spectrophotometric methods. Results: We observed a significant increase in AOPP levels (p=0.001) in MI. Plasma total thiols (P=0.001), GSH (P=0.001 ), total proteins (P=0.007) showed significant decrease when compared to controls. However plasma iron and copper levels showed significant increase in myocardial infarction. Conclusion: The findings suggest that MI is associated with ROS accumulation, and depletion of antioxidants has led to oxidative stress.