[Relaxation of coronary arterial smooth muscle and depolarization of cell membrane potential by selenium]

Selenium (Se) is an important trace element to the human being. The effects of selenium on contraction and cell membrane potential of coronary arterial smooth muscle were studied in guinea pig by isometric force development of strips and intracellular recording method. It was showed that Se caused vascular smooth muscle relaxation and depolarization of the cells in a dose dependent manner. Inhibitory effect of Se on KCl- or ACh-induced contraction could be quantitatively assessed by a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve. Furthermore, Se increased KCl-induced depolarization and decreased ACh-induced hyperpolarization.