Lipid Peroxidation and Glutathione Peroxidase in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Aims: To evaluate the level of lipid peroxidation (by measuring malondialdehyde) and endogenous antioxidant enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) in acute myocardial infarction.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with Department of Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, Manipur, India between November 2010 to April 2012.
Methodology: Fifty patients (32 male, 18 female) between the age group of 18-90 years suffering from acute myocardial infarction either attending emergency department, out patients department or admitted in intensive care coronary unit (ICCU) RIMS, within 6 hours from the complaint of chest pain were included in the study. Another thirty age and sex matched healthy individuals (18 male and 12 female) were taken as controls. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated by Beckman DU 640 spectrophotometer using commercially available kit. The data was analysed using SPSS version 16.
Results: The plasma malondialdehyde mean level (4.02±0.72 µmol/L in males and 3.77±0.58 µmol/L in females) was significantly high in the AMI patients compared to the control group (1.34±0.22 µmol/L in males and 1.30±0.26 µmol/L in females) however the glutathione peroxidase mean level (23.3±4.2 u/gHb in males and 23.0±3.6 u/gHb in females) was significantly reduced in AMI patients than the controls group (29.68±1.4 u/gHb in males and 29.57±1.0 u/gHb in females).
Conclusion: In conclusion AMI patients have increased oxidative stress and a compromised antioxidant defense system. Therefore, it is recommended that the management strategy for the patients of AMI should include specific antioxidant supplementation along with lowering of lipid peroxidation.