Background: Resveratrol is an anti-oxidant agent and occurs in grapes and a variety of plants. Recent studies have demonstrated that resveratrol protected the tissues against ischemic conditions. In this experimental study we have examined the protective effects of resveratrol on prolonged global ischemia when it was applied for two weeks before and just prior to ischemia.

Methods: Fourty male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided in four groups for the experiment. In Group I and II, resveratrol (10^-6 g/kg) was given via intraperitoneal injection for two weeks. Additionally in Group I and in Group III, resveratrol infusion was given at 10^-6 g/kg dosage to isolated hearts for 30 minutes just prior to ischemia. Group IV rats were exclused from resveratrol and reserved as control group, saline was given according to same protocol. Hearts were mounted to Langendorf perfusion apparatus and perfused with Krebb’s-Henseleit solution. A water filled latex balloon was inserted in the left ventricle through left atrium and connected to a pressure transducer to measure hemodynamic data. All hearts were paced at 300 beat/min and stabilized for 20 minutes. After 30-minute of drug infusion period, the hearts in all groups were arrested with cold cristalloid cardioplegia and subjected to 60-minute of global ischemia. At the end of ischemia period, the hearts were reperfused for 30 minutes with Krebb’s-Henseleit solution. The hemodynamic data (peak systolic pressure, end diastolic pressure, dP/dt_max) and coronary flow measurements were recorded at the end of the stabilization and every 10-minute intervals of reperfusion period to compare the each groups.

Results: There was no significant difference in all parameters at the stabilization period. At the reperfusion period the hemodynamic data and coronary flow measurements have displayed better contractile function in resveratrol groups (Group I, II and III) than control group (Group IV). Also, the functional recovery was statistically better in Group I and II hearts than in Group III. No significant difference was observed between groups I and II at reperfusion period.

Conclusion: Resveratrol, as an anti-oxidant agent, prevents the oxidative stress in ischemia/reperfusion injury and protects the myocardium. The long-term application of resveratrol is more effective than using just prior to ischemia.

Keywords : Resveratrol, ischemia, reperfusion, heart, antioxidant