Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology
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J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. · Sep 2002
Pyruvate restores contractile function and antioxidant defenses of hydrogen peroxide-challenged myocardium.
Pyruvate, a natural energy-yielding fuel in myocardium, neutralizes peroxides by a direct decarboxylation reaction, and indirectly augments the glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system by generating NADPH reducing power via citrate formation. The possibility that pyruvate's antioxidant actions could mediate its enhancement of contractile performance in prooxidant-challenged myocardium was investigated in isolated working guinea-pig hearts reversibly injured by hydrogen peroxide. ⋯ Pyruvate promoted robust contractile recovery of H(2)O(2)-challenged myocardium by the combination of citrate-mediated antioxidant mechanisms and maintenance of myocardial energy reserves.