[Protective effects of vitamin E and selenium on myocardial mitochondria in rats--a study on the pathogenic factors and pathogenesis of Keshan disease].

The protective effects of vitamin E (VE) and selenium (Se) on myocardial mitochondria were investigated in rats fed grains (with 0.006 ppm Se) from an endemic area of Keshan disease. The results indicated that supplementing the endemic grains with VE or Se (in 150 ppm and 0.1 ppm respectively) elevated, in different degrees, the depressed activities of four myocardial mitochondrial complexes of electron transport, of which the activity of complex II was increased significantly (P less than 0.05). In addition, the activity of Mn- superoxide dismutase was increased and the content of lipid peroxides was decreased in the myocardial mitochondria of rats of both groups with the supplements. The study shows that VE and Se protect the myocardial mitochondria from damage induced by lipid peroxidation in the rats fed grains from Keshan disease endemic areas.