Abstract: To study the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract(GSPE) on the apoptosis of myocardial cells induced by myocardial reperfusion injury(MRI) in rabbits. Methods: Twentyfour male New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups at random: control, model, low dose and high dose groups. After 21 days of treatment, serum CKMB, SOD and MDA of the rabbits of each group were detected at different times before and after reperfusion, the ultrastructure of myocardium and the apoptosis of myocardial cells were observed. Results: The CKMB and MDA decreased, but SOD increased in GSPE group compared with the model group (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). Pathological analysis manifested MRI revived markedly in GSPE group. The amount of apoptotic cells and the apoptosis index (AI) reduced significantly in GSPE group (P＜0.01). Conclusion: GSPE has a significantly preventive effect on myocardial cell apoptosis induced by MRI, except for its potent antioxidant activity ，which may be one of the mechanisms of its anti MRI effect.

Key words: Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract, Myocardial reperfusion injury,