Recent evidence suggests that free oxygen radicals are produced by ischaemic
tissues, accounting for at least part of the damage that results. These free oxygen radicals are
produced by xanthine oxidase, amongst others, and removed by scavenger enzymes (catalase,
superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and anti-oxidants. As mitochondria
are oxygen-utilising organelles, they are capable of producing free oxygen radicals. Our
results indicate that the removal of free oxygen radicals are not diminished during ischaemia,
but the activity of the free oxygen radical generator, xanthine oxidase, is increased. This
could lead to an increased superoxide anion concentration.
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