Study the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of grape seed (Vitis vinifera) on infarct size and cardiac arrhythmias in ischemic-reperfused isolated rat heart

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. 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. 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). 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.