Effects of resveratrol, a flavinoid found in red wine, on infarct size in an experimental model of ischemia/reperfusion

OBJECTIVE: Resveratrol is a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant flavinoid found in red wine. Resveratrol has been shown to improve ventricular function and decrease lactic dehydrogenase release after ischemia in rats. The aim of this study was to test whether resveratrol could provide direct cardioprotection to myocytes during acute myocardial infarction. METHOD: Anesthetized, open-chest rabbits (N= 24) were subjected to 30 minute coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 hr reperfusion. Before the onset of ischemia (15 minutes), the rabbits were randomly assigned (n = 8 in each group) to either high-dose (1.5 mg/kg) resveratrol, low-dose (0.15 mg/kg) resveratrol or ethanol vehicle, and the effects on infarct size and regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) were tested. RESULTS: Hemodynamic parameters and size of ischemic risk region (29% to 35% of the left ventricle) were similar in all groups. Infarct size, expressed as a mean (SEM) percentage of the risk region, was 46% (5%) of the risk region in controls, 46% (7%) in the low-dose group and 54% (3%) in the high-dose group (p = .53). Thus, treatment with resveratrol had no effect on infarct size at either dose. There were no differences in RMBF in the risk zone or in nonischemic tissue, during either occlusion or reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In this intact model of ischemia and reperfusion, resveratrol fails to provide cardioprotection. The mechanism of other beneficial effects (e.g., improvement of function) that are observed with resveratrol probably do not result from increased RMBF or a reduction in myocardial necrosis.