Myocardial Glutathione Alterations in Acute Coronary Occlusion in the Dog

Glutathione (GSH) decreases in dog mycocardium upon acute coronary occlusion when compared with sham-operated dogs. Total glutathione content (GSHeq = GSH + ZGSSG) remains unchanged throughout the experiment (6 h after surgery) in both sham- and acute coronary occlusion-operated dogs. GSSG and GSH/GSSG ratio increases and decreases respectively in all animals but tends to reach the normal value after 6 h in sham-operated dogs. Both parameters (GSSG and GSH/GSSG ratio) remain altered in acute coronary occlusion-operated ones. This alteration of glutathione status in ischemic myocardium is discussed.