ABSTRACT
The protective effect of selenium ( Se ) on cobalt cardiomyopathy was investigated in rats given cobalt chloride ( 5 mg/kg?d-1?7 i.p.). Pretreatment of Se (50 ?g/kg?d-1 ?14 i.p.) could protect the myocardium injured by Co as demonstrated by the decrease in plasma CPK and GOT activities and absence of histopathologic abnormalities. Se contents in hearts and the cardiac glutathione peroxidase activity were increased, but the level of lipid peroxide in the heart was unaltered after i.p. Se. As compared with the Co group rats, SDH reaction was increased in intensity, lipid staining and free fatty acid contents in myocardium of the Se + Co group were decreased to the normal extent, indicating that the protective effect of Se appeared to be related to the prevention of the cobalt-induced inhibition of SDH and disturbance of lipid metabolism in the heart.