[Morphologic indices the influence of selenium and vitamin E on the course of experimental myocardial infarct]

Myocardial infarction was induced in rats by ligating a coronary artery. During a week they received daily injections of 50 mg/kg of vitamin E intramuscularly or 30 mug/kg of sodium selenite subcutaneously, or else a combination of these preparations. The control animals received no injections. Stereometrically a statistically significant reduction of the infarcted zone was noted under the effect of selenium, this reduction being especially distinct during the ischaemic stage; the maturation of granulation tissue with an enhancement of the fibroblast reaction therein was accelerated. The muscle cells of the myocardium beyond the infarction zone displayed an increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase and a reduced activity of succinate dehydrogenase, intactness of the ultrastructure of the cell pattern, an enhancement of the signs of ultrastructural regeneration. Vitamin E potentiated the effect of selenium and executed itself a similar, but less distinct effect.