Modulatory effect of fish oil on the myocardial antioxidant defense system in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.

The effect of fish oil treatment on the activities of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, and glutathione, as well as the level of the lipid peroxidation marker thiobarbituric reactive substance was studied in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI). To confirm the induction of MI by isoproterenol, we studied the activities of cardiac marker enzymes like creatinine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase and the level of troponin. The biochemical lesions due to the activation of lipid peroxidation and decrease in antioxidant status are significantly implicated in experimental isoproterenol-induced MI. The results indicate that the protective effect of fish oil is achieved by decreasing the peroxide concentration and normalizing antioxidant defense enzymes.