Alterations of mitochondrial function in ischemia/reperfusion cat heart

The effect of myocardium being subjected to 60 min ischemia and 60 min reperfusion incat cardiopulmonary bypass on level of lipid peroxides(LPO),function of myocardial mitochon-dria and activity of superoxides dismutase(SOD)was studied. Myocardial mitochondrial functionwas depressed slightly 60 rain after ischemia but significantly 60 min after reperfusion.Increasedlipid peroxides content and decreased activity of SOD were observed at 60 rain after ischemia.Af-ter reperfusion,the activity of SOD continued decreasing,and LPO elevated still further.Theseresults support the hypothesis that free radicals may contribute to myocardial reperfusion injury.