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We used two experimental models to prove that resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) reduces cardiac ischemic-reperfusion injury by means of a nitric oxide- and adenosine-dependent mechanism. (1). ACUTE EX VIVO: resveratrol (10 microM, 10 min) infusion in Langendorff-perfused normoxic rat hearts significantly increased adenosine release and coronary flow compared with baseline. After 30-min low-flow ischemia, vasodilation, still present at reperfusion, was completely abolished by resveratrol plus adenosine antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline (SPT, 50 microM) administration. (2). CHRONIC IN VIVO: rats received tap water containing 25 mg/l resveratrol for 15 days or normal water. Twenty-four hours after, their hearts were Langendorff-perfused and submitted to 60-min low-flow ischemia and reperfusion. The resveratrol-treated hearts showed better functional recovery at reperfusion and significant vasodilation, but no variation in high-energy phosphates (31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 microM), a nonselective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or SPT (50 microM) administered for 10 min prior to the low-flow ischemia cancelled the effects. This suggests that long-term moderate resveratrol consumption could play an important role in late cardioprotective effects.