DETECTION OF HYDROXYL RADICALS IN THE POSTISCHEMIC REPERFUSED HEART USING SALICYLATE AS A TRAPPING AGENT

The formation of hydroxyl radical in the post-ischemic reperfused heart was measured with high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection using salicylic acid. Hydroxyl radicals react with salicylic acid yielding 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, which can be separated by the liquid chromatography. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with 1 mm salicylic acid and were subjected to 30 mins of global ischemia followed by aerobic or anaerobic reperfusion at 37°C. The effluent from the hearts was collected at various intervals, extracted with ether, and injected into the high performance liquid chromatography unit. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was present only after aerobic reperfusion and was not detected before ischemia. The liquid chromatography peak of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid was too small for quantitation. The concentration of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was the highest within 300 s of reperfusion. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was not detected in the ischemic hearts during anaerobic reperfusion. In ischemic hearts perfused with mannitol, the amount of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid after reperfusion was reduced. These data suggest that hydroxyl radicals are produced in the post-ischemic reperfused heart and that the present method is useful and reliable for the measurement of hydroxyl radicals in the heart. © 1991.