[Therapeutic-preventive effect of sodium selenite on the course of experimental myocardial infarct]

An occlusion of the left coronary artery in rats tends to signally raise the intensity of free radical oxidation of myocardial-lipids, which is revealed by the chemofluorescent method. A direct correlational link between the intensity of the lipids peroxidation and the extent of the myocardial damage was established. Subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite in a dose of 30 gamma/kg 2 hours prior to ligation and once daily for a space of 7 days produces a distincly reduced intensity of free-radical processes in the myocardium, decreases the extent of infarction and prevents the appearance of gross changes on the ECG.