REDUCTION OF REPERFUSION INJURY BY RECOMBINANT HUMAN SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY JUST PRIOR TO REPERFUSION

The reduction of reperfusion injury by intravenous administration of r ecombinant human superoxide dismutase (r-hSOD) was evaluated in a dog model. Two hours of left anterior coronary artery clamping were follow ed by 30 min of partial reperfusion and 30 min of full reperfusion. In the SOD group, r-hSOD (100,000 U/kg) was given intravenously 5 min be fore reperfusion. Measured left ventricular (LV) segments were classif ied thermographically by temperature drop into central (greater-than-o r-equal-to 2-degrees-C) and marginal (<2-degrees-C) areas. The regiona l LV functions were evaluated by percentages of both segmental (%SS) a nd active (%AS) shortening. In the central area, the %SS values after reperfusion were -9% in the control group and -3% in the SOD group (p < 0.05). The respective %AS values were 6 and 29% (p < 0.01). In the m arginal area, both groups had %SS values of -3% and respective %AS val ues of 34 and 22% (all not significant) after reperfusion. In the cent ral area, there was significantly better LV function recovery in the S OD group than in the control