Importance of the antioxidative potential for free radical induced heart damage.

It is demonstrated on the heart tissue of rats that the extent of lipid peroxidation following induction of radical-forming mechanisms is correlated with the Vit. E concentration of the heart. When incubated with Fe2+/Vit.C, the heart tissue of normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive rats receiving Vit. E supplementation (SHR + Vit. E), consistently with their higher Vit. E concentration, reacted with a lower lipid peroxidation than the heart tissue of SHR. Considering the importance of lipid peroxidation as a damaging mechanism at ischemia, the lower Vit. E concentration in the hearts of SHR should be responsible for the lower tolerance to ischemia in comparison to WKY.