Actin is oxidized during myocardial ischemia

Exposure of isolated rat hearts to 30 min global ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion resulted in a significant 80% increase (p < .05) in actin content of carbonyl groups, which was associated with significant depression (p < .05) of postischemic contractile function. This result supports the hypothesis that one mechanism of postischemic contractile dysfunction may be oxidation of contractile proteins.