The sympatho-adrenal system and sulfhydryl groups in the heart in experimental myocardial infarction.

In 59 sexually mature male chinchilla rabbits, and in control sham-operated animals, there were compared the indicators characterizing the functional state of the heart and the levels of catecholamines and of SH groups in experimental myocardial infarction induced by ligating the descending branch of the left coronary artery. Phasic shifts were found in the heart adrenergic regulation, dependent on the stage of infarction. In all animals in the acute stage of myocardial infarction the activity of the sympatho-adrenal system was enhanced. In an extensive transmural infarction and in cases with a lethal outcome the levels of total and protein-bound noradrenaline were lowered. The course and prognosis of experimental myocardial infarction were dependent on the degree of disturbance of formation of complexes of noradrenaline with adrenoreceptor structures, caused by decreases in the levels of noradrenaline and sulphydryl groups.