[Lipid peroxidation, peroxyl radical-scavenging system of plasma and liver and heart pathology in adolescence heroin users].

Chronic opiate intoxication has been shown to cause various pathologic changes in the liver almost in 100% of cases. Earlier it has been demonstrated that acute or chronic morphine intoxication evokes activation of lipid peroxidation in the liver, heart, and brain cells. The aim of the present work was to assess parameters reflecting cytolysis in the liver and heart, and the plasma content of factors contributing to the peroxyl radical-scavenging system of the blood of teenagers using heroin. Blood samples were obtained from 20 male patients from 14 to 16 years old, with a mean duration of regular heroin use of 1.7 years. The control group included 13 healthy teenagers which denied the previous drug use. Mean plasma ALT and myocardial isoform of LDH activities were significantly higher (1.7- and 1.4-times respectively) in the heroin users than in the control group. The mean plasma level of lipid peroxides in the heroin users is increased by 20% compared to the control individuals. In teenagers using heroin a high level of correlation was observed between the plasma content of lipid peroxides and myocardial LDH activity (r = 0.76; P < 0.01). The effect of heroin use on the content of the plasma peroxyl radical-scavenging factors--vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and protein SH-groups--was not found. It has been concluded that heart injury during heroin use in teenagers may be associated with activation of lipid peroxidation reactions in the myocardium.