Effect of selenium on the contractile force of isolated and perfused guinea-pig heart

Sodium selenite showed a negative inotropic effect on isolated and perfused guinea-pig heart. The effect was dose-dependent and was not reversed by a higher calcium concentration or by washing. Electronic microscopy revealed mitochondrial alterations. Pyruvate and lactate 2 X 10(-3)M seemed able to reverse the negative inotropic effect and mitochondrial alterations induced by sodium selenite.