Cardioprotection stimulated by resveratrol and grape products prevents lethal cardiac arrhythmias in an animal model of ischemia and reperfusion

Abstract

To evaluate the preventive cardioprotective effects of resveratrol and grape products, such as grape juice and red wine, in animal model of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: Male Wistar rats orally pretreated for 21-days with resveratrol and grape products were anesthetized and placed on mechanical ventilation to surgically induce cardiac ischemia and reperfusion by obstruction (ischemia) followed by liberation (reperfusion) of blood circulation in left descending coronary artery. These rats were submitted to the electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis to evaluate the effects of pretreatment with resveratrol and grape products on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) resulting from cardiac ischemia and reperfusion. Results: It was observed that the incidence of AVB was significantly lower in rats pretreated with resveratrol (25%), grape juice (37.5%) or red wine (12.5%) than in rats treated with saline solution (80%) or ethanol (80%). Similarly, incidence of LET was also significantly lower in rats pretreated with resveratrol (25%), grape juice (25%) or red wine (0%) than in rats treated with saline solution (62.5%) or ethanol (75%). Conclusion: These results indicate that the cardioprotective response stimulated by resveratrol and grape products prevents the lethal cardiac arrhythmias in animal model of ischemia and reperfusion, supporting the idea that this treatment can be beneficial for prevention of severe cardiac arrhythmias in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Pharmacological Modulation by Low Molecular Weight Heparin of Purinergic Signaling in Cardiac Cells Prevents Arrhythmia and Lethality Induced by Myocardial Infarction

“…ECG was recorded using a biopotential amplifier by means of needle electrodes placed subcutaneously on the limbs. Successful surgical obstruction of the coronary artery was validated by ECG alterations (increase in R wave and ST segment) caused by CIR [ 14 ]. Body temperature was maintained at 37.5 °C with a heated operating platform and appropriate heating lamps and was routinely evaluated with a rectal thermometer [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Phosphorylation of NaV1.5 by CaMKII may also increase pro-arrhythmogenic late Na+ currents [ 3 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Thus, pharmacological interventions presently used or investigated in reperfusion-induced injuries usually modulate Ca 2+ signaling or have antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties [ 3 , 5 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Antioxidants in Arrhythmia Treatment—Still a Controversy? A Review of Selected Clinical and Laboratory Research

“…After 6 min of left coronary artery occlusion and 6 min of reperfusion, there were no rats with VT/VF, and the survival rate was 100% compared to 25.5% VF and 62.5% VT in the control group [ 62 ]. Menezes-Rodriguez et al indicated that in an animal study with 10 min of cardiac ischaemia (occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery) and 75 min of recirculation, RSV (1 mg/kg/day, administered orally) significantly reduced the incidence of atrioventricular (AV) block and lethality [ 63 ]. Incidence of VAs in the RSV group was 10% lower than in the control group (70% vs. 80%), and mortality was 37.5% lower (25.0% vs. 62.5%).…”

“…Incidence of VAs in the RSV group was 10% lower than in the control group (70% vs. 80%), and mortality was 37.5% lower (25.0% vs. 62.5%). AV block was much less common in the RSV group [ 63 ]. In a model with isolated hearts perfused using the Langendorff technique and with 30 min of global ischaemia and 120 min of reperfusion, the RSV also showed a beneficial effect [ 64 ].…”