Contractile function of the heart and the state of some stages of lipid metabolism during acute diphtheritic intoxication

Acute diphtheritic intoxication was modeled in rabbits by intravenous administration of native diphtherin (0.3 minimal lethal dose per 1 kg body weight). The contractile function of the left and right ventricles (peak systolic pressure under conditions of basal hemodynamics and during 5-sec occlusion of the aorta and pulmonary artery, respectively) was estimated 1, 3 and 5 days after the start of the pathological process, the intensity of lipid peroxidation was evaluated by measuring the content of TBA- reactive products in the myocardium. Impairment of the contractile function of both ventricles was observed in the course of intoxication. The level of TBA-reactive products in the left ventricle signifi cantly decreased on day 1, but then returned to normal. Thus, impairment of the contractile function of the left ventricle at the early stages of diphtheritic intoxication is not mediated by activation of lipid peroxidation in cardiomyocytes. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.