The present invention relates to a solution for preservation, perfusion,and/or reperfusion of an organ, especially the heart, for transplantation. Thesolution contains peptide inhibitor(s) of protein kinase C ~ (PKC ~). Methodsfor using the inventive solution are also disclosed, including methods forpreserving an organ for transplantation, for protecting an ischemic organ fromdamage, for attenuating organ dysfunction after ischemia, for maintainingnitric oxide release and/or inhibiting superoxide release in an ischemicorgan, and for protecting an organ from damage when isolated from thecirculatory system.
