Oral administration of L-arginine in patients with angina or following myocardial infarction may be protective by increasing plasma superoxide dismutase and total thiols with reduction in serum cholesterol and xanthine oxidase.

Administration of L-arginine has been shown to control ischemic injury by producing nitric oxide which dilates the vessels and thus maintains proper blood flow to the myocardium. In the present study attempt has been made to determine whether oral administration of L-arginine has any effect on oxidant/ antioxidant homeostasis in ischemic myocardial patients [represented by the patients of acute angina (AA) and acute myocardial infarction (MI)]. L-arginine has antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties, decreases endothelin-1 expression and improves endothelial function, thereby controlling oxidative injury caused during myocardial ischemic syndrome.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Oxidative stress, a consequence of an imbalance between the formation and inactivation of reactive oxygen species, may be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases including cancer. To evaluate the magnitude of oxidative stress, a study on the plasma levels of superoxide dismutase, total thiols, ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde (MDA) has been done in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients before the start of any oncological treatment and compared with healthy controls. The specific activity of superoxide dismutase in cancer patients is decreased significantly when compared to the control (p < 0.

Oxidative stress and ischemic myocardial syndromes.

Oxidative stress is a condition in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals, namely O2*(-), H2O2, and *OH, are generated extra- or intracellularly and exert toxic effects on cells. The heart is one of the major organs affected by ROS. Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress is a common denominator in many aspects of cardiovascular diseases.

Erythrocytic adenosine deaminase in post myocardial infarction angina patients.

A comparative study on the levels of erythrocyte adenosine deaminase and lipid peroxidation has been undertaken in post myocardial infarction angina patients along with age and sex matched healthy individuals serving as control. Present findings show that levels of adenosine deaminase is highly elevated in post myocardial infarction angina patients compared to healthy persons. Malondialdehyde levels are also significantly increased in post myocardial infarction angina patients.

Effect of vitamin E administration on blood pressure following reperfusion of patients with myocardial infarction.

Background: Reperfusion of infarcted myocardium by thrombolysis is the major technique used to restore blood supply. Reperfusion, however, is associated with a burst of oxygen consumption, with the resultant excessive generation of free radicals causing reperfusion injury.

Objective: In the present study, the effect of vitamin E administration on the status of free radical-mediated injury and blood pressure in post reperfusion hypertensive patients with myocardial infarction is assessed.

Nitric Oxide as a Unique Bioactive Signaling Messenger in Physiology and Pathophysiology.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an intra- and extracellular messenger that mediates diverse signaling pathways in target cells and is known to play an important role in many physiological processes including neuronal signaling, immune response, inflammatory response, modulation of ion channels, phagocytic defense mechanism, penile erection, and cardiovascular homeostasis and its decompensation in atherogenesis. Recent studies have also revealed a role for NO as signaling molecule in plant, as it activates various defense genes and acts as developmental regulator. In plants, NO can also be produced by nitrate reductase.