Changes of antioxidant enzyme activities during cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND

Reperfusion of ischemic heart causes the generation of free radicals, and these radicals play an important role in post-ischemic tissue damage. These free radicals are removed by scavenger enzymes and antioxidants in the cell. In this study, erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities were determined in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Blood samples were obtained from the coronary sinus of patients at the following times: 1) Before cardiopulmonary bypass, 2) Immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass, 3) Fifteen minutes after the second specimen, 4) Thirty minutes after the second specimen.

PATIENTS

this study was carried out on eleven patients undergoing open heart operation.

MEASURES

catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities were determined in these patients. RESULTS. Catalase activity was significantly decreased in the third and fourth groups as compared with the first group, which was also the control group (p<0.05). Glutathione reductase activity in the third group was significantly higher as compared with control group (p<0.001). However, there were no differences in glutathione peroxidase activity among control group and other three groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the activities of antioxidant enzyme activities in erythrocytes are changed during the ischemia and reperfusion of the heart.