Effect of aspirin on mitochondrial lipids in experimental myocardial infarction in rats.

The effect of aspirin (0.45 mg/100 g body wt, orally for 60 days) on mitochondrial lipids induced by isoproterenol (200 mg/Kg body wt, Sc for 2 days) was studied in rats. In isoproterenol treated rats, marked increases in cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides and lipid peroxides in heart mitochondria were observed. The phospholipid level was lowered with a significant increase in the activity of phospholipase. The activity of Na+K(+)-ATPase registered a decrease and the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase increased in isoproterenol treatment. Aspirin treatment is found to counteract the effect of isoproterenol on lipid and lipid peroxide formation and associated enzyme changes in heart mitochondria.