NO-independent stimulation or activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase during early reperfusion limits infarct size

AIMS: Guanylyl cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signalling plays an important role in endogenous cardioprotective signalling. The aim was to assess the potential of direct pharmacological activation and stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase, targeting different redox states of the enzyme, to limit myocardial necrosis during early reperfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rat isolated hearts were subjected to reversible left coronary artery occlusion (ischaemia-reperfusion) and infarct size was assessed by the tetrazolium staining technique. Administration during early reperfusion of BAY 41-2272, an NO-independent, haem-dependent stimulator of soluble guanylyl cyclase targeting the reduced state, or BAY 60-2770, an NO-independent, haem-independent activator targeting the oxidized state, significantly limited infarct size. Inhibition of NO synthesis did not abrogate this protection, but exogenous perfusion of NO with BAY 41-2272 produced a synergistic effect. The haem site oxidiser, ODQ abrogated the protection afforded by BAY 41-2272 but potentiated the protection afforded by BAY 60-2770. Targeting both the reduced and oxidized forms of sGC together did not afford additive protection. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting either reduced or oxidized forms of sGC during early reperfusion affords cardioprotection, providing support for the concept that direct sGC manipulation at reperfusion has therapeutic potential for the management of acute myocardial infarction.