Identification and role of inflammatory oxygen free radicals in cardiac ischemia and reperfusion injury

Prolonged myocardial ischemia results in a variety of severe cellular, metabolic and ultra-structural damages. It is therefore generally accepted that reperfusion is an absolute prerequisite for the survival of ischemic tissue. However, reperfusion may precipitate arrhythmias, cause myocardial stunning and accelerate necrotic process. Oxygen free radicals have been suggested as possible mediators of reperfusioninduced injury and there is circumstantial evidence that supports this hypothesis. Indirect evidence in support of this concept derives from studies in which antioxidant enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, free radical scavengers and iron chelators are able to protect against reperfusion inju…