Infarct Size

Objectives: In the present study, effects of hydroalcoholic extract of grape seed (GSE) on ischemia-reperfusion
(I/R)- induced infarct size and cardiac arrhythmias were investigated in isolated rat heart. Methods: Isolated rat
hearts were divided into four groups and mounted on a Langendorff apparatus at constant pressure, then subjected to
30 min regional ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. In control group, the hearts were perfused by a modified
Krebs-Henseleit solution throughout the experiment, however, in the test groups they were perfused by enriched
Krebs solution with GSE (1, 10 and 100 μg/ml) during I/R. The ECGs were recorded and analyzed to determine
cardiac arrhythmias. Infarct size was determined by computerized planimetry method. Results: The results
demonstrated that perfusion of GSE produces significant reduction in infarct size in isolated rat heart. In the control
group, infarct size was 31±5 %, while perfusion of GSE (1, 10, and 100 μg/ml) reduced it to 12±3 (P<0.05), 16±6
(P<0.05) and 2±1 % (P<0.01), respectively. The extract (1 μg/ml) caused significant reduction (P<0.05) in the
number, duration and incidence of ischemic ventricular tachycardia (VT). At the reperfusion phase, low
concentrations of GSE (especially 1 μg/ml) showed the same effects as well as significant reduction (P<0.05) in the
number of ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs). Conclusion: Results of this study showed cardioprotective effects of
GSE against I/R injuries by reduction of infarct size and arrhythmias. Maybe, the presence of proanthocyanidin (as
free radical scavenging agent) and reduction of intracellular calcium ions may involve in these protective effects.
Key words: Grape seed extract, Vitis vinifera, Myocardial infarction, Arrhythmia, Ischemia, Reperfusion, Rat.