Lack of change in MnSOD during ischemia/reperfusion of isolated rat heart.

Decreased endogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity has been implicated in free radical-mediated reperfusion injury of the ischemic myocardium. Antioxidant enzymes have been added to the modalities of reperfusion therapy of acute myocardial infarction based on this observation. We measured the content of MnSOD specific protein, activity of Mn and Cu, ZnSODs, and MnSOD mRNA in the working isolated rat heart subjected to various durations of ischemia and reperfusion. Recovery of mechanical function was monitored and lactate and lactic dehydrogenase released in the coronary effluent before and after ischemia were measured. In this model with reversible or irreversible myocardial injury, we noted no change in the myocardial MnSOD specific protein content and, contrary to some previous observations, no change in the activity levels of Mn or Cu,ZnSODs. Our results suggest that free radical-mediated damage in the heart during ischemia and reperfusion is probably not due to impaired activity or degradation of native SODs.