Protective action of aspirin in experimental myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in rats and its effect on lipid peroxidation.

The protective action of aspirin in experimental myocardial infraction induced by isoproterenol was studied in rats. Aspirin treated rats showed lower mortality rate and smaller changes in the myocardium on histopathological examination when compared to corresponding animals given isoproterenol alone. Changes were also observed in the different lipid fractions studied. The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids decreased in the heart in aspirin treated animals when compared to control rats given isoproterenol alone. The levels of lipid peroxide also showed a decrease while the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase registered an increase in the aspirin treated animals given isoproterenol when compared to corresponding animals given isoproterenol alone.