Free radicals in myocardial injury: experimental and clinical studies

The exposure of cardiac cells to OFR generated artificially, showed a marked decrease (p < 0.01) in cellular utilization of glucose alongwith a significant decrease in calcium uptake (p < 0.05). We have also provided evidence for a direct relationship of neutrophil OFR production with the extent of myocardial ischemia in patients of myocardial infarction. Our data provides evidence for implication of OFR in myocardial injury and the pivotal role played by modulators like calcium, ECGF and prostaglandins in potentiating damage to the myocardium.