Grape seed procyanidins possess a cardioprotective
effect against ischemia reperfusion injury. Sato,
Maulik, Ray, Bagchi, and Das (1999) demonstrated that hearts of
proanthocyanidin-fed rat displayed an increased tolerance to
ischemia reperfusion injury and significantly reduce infarct size.
In vitro studies showed that these antioxidants are potent scavengeres
of peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals which are generated in the
ischemic reperfused myocardium.