Decreased SOD activity and increased nitrates level in rat heart with left ventricular hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is considered a risk for cardiac failure. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis of antioxidant changes during ventricular hypertrophy, we have used isoproterenol treated rats. Our studies showed that administration of high doses of isoproterenol induced oxidative and nitrosative stress, expressed as decreased level of thiols (SH), decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased nitrates level in the rat heart. The results obtained are considered an outcome of oxidative stress conditions imposed by isoproterenol autooxidation.