Ascorbyl free radical as a real-time marker of free radical generation in briefly ischemic and reperfused hearts: An electron paramagnetic resonance study

Abstract

The role of free radicals in myocardial reperfusion injury remains controversial. We have developed a new method using ascorbyl free radical (AFR) as a real-time, quantitative marker of free radical generation during myocardial reperfusion. A total of 35 dogs were studied. Twelve open-chest dogs underwent either 5 minutes (n=5) or 20 minutes (n=7) of coronary artery occlusion and 30 minutes of reperfusion. Seven additional animals undergoing 20 minutes of coronary occlusion also received the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, beginning 10 minutes before occlusion through the end of reperfusion. Exogenous ascorbate was infused intravenously, and the concentration of AFR in the great cardiac vein was continuously measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Preocclusion AFR concentration was similar in the three groups. Upon reperfusion, AFR rose significantly in each animal group (P