Background: Resveratrol (RSV), a plant origin polyphenol, has shown beneficial cardiovascular effects. Methods and Results: In this study, isolated hearts from male Wistar rats were studied using the Langendorff technique. Following 30 min stabilization, the hearts underwent 30 min global ischemia and 120 min reperfusion. The perfusion solution in the test group contained RSV (10 μM). Hemodynamics of the hearts, the markers of myocardial damage including creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and troponin I were studied during the study. Furthermore, the infarct size and the markers of oxidative stress including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were assayed in the homogenates of the hearts. The release of nitrite from the hearts and the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias were also monitored throughout the experiment. Resveratrol caused a significant improvement in the restoration of the mechanical performance of the hearts following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MIR). Besides, the infarct size, CK-MB, LDH, and troponin I declined in the test group. Besides, the cardiac release of nitrite increased, and the redox status of the heart was improved as indicated by the levels of CAT, SOD, GPX, and MDA. Finally, the treatment caused significant decreases in the occurrences of single and salvo arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Conclusions: The current study suggests strong cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic effects for RSV following MIR.

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