The objective was to assess the action of two Argentine (from Mendoza) non-
alcoholic red wine extracts (Cabernet-Sauvignon (CS) and a generic control
(G)) on myocardial stunning that follows the reperfusion period. In the iso
lated isovolumically perfused rat heart the recovery of systolic and diasto
lic functions after 20 min of global ischemia were assessed through left ve
ntricular developed pressure (LVDP) and end diastolic pressure (EDP), respe
ctively. After 30 min of reperfusion LVDP recovered to 66 +/- 7% in control
ischemic hearts. The administration of non-alcoholic extract of CS not of
G wine significantly increased the post-ischemic recovery (101 +/- 4%, p <
0.05) of the hearts. The ischemic contracture was not modified by either of
the wines. However, during reperfusion the CS, not the G wine, decreased s
ignificantly the increase in EDP observed in control ischemic hearts. These
results present experimental evidence that the non-alcoholic extracts of G
S and not of G Argentine red wine induces protection of postischemic myocar
dial function.