Antioxidant status and glutathione redox potential of erythrocytes in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Indicators of oxidative stress (OS), systemic inflammation, metabolism and redox status of glutathione (GSH) were investigated and compared in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction on electrocardiograms (STEMI), and patients with unstable angina (UA). The elevated and decreased myeloperoxidase level, superoxide dismutase activity, and moderate increased plasma levels­ of interleukin-6, while maintaining the antioxi­dant potential, were found in Group 1. Disor­ders in pro-/antioxidant balance and systemic inflammatory response were manifested in UA. Increased GSH concentration (and total GSH) in erythrocytes has been established for STEMI patients and the decreased GSH for UA patients. Thus, a significant shift of erythrocytes redox to oxidization and increase (unlike STEMI patients) of glutathione peroxidase activity were recorded. Mechanisms of the pro- and antioxidant functions of red blood cells in acute coronary syndrome are considered. The role of red blood cell glutathione to provide more oxidized intravascular environment for S-glutathionylation and optimization of redox signa­ling in target cells is pronounced.

Keywords

• acute coronary syndrome
• interleukins
• myelo­peroxidase
• oxidative stress
• red blood cells glutathione levels and redox potential