The protective effects of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil on post-resuscitation cardiac dysfunction of cardiac arrest: by regulating the miR-155-5p and miR-145-5p

BACKGROUND: MiRNA-155 and miRNA-145 have been demonstrated to function as a key regulator in the development of the cardiovascular system. Recent experimental and clinical studies have indicated the cardioprotective role of sildenafil during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study was designed to investigate if administration of sildenafil will attenuate post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction by regulating miRNA-155 and miR-145 expressions. METHODS: Thirty-two male pigs (weighing 30 ± 2 kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups, sildenafil group (n = 8), sildenafil +NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (20 mg/kg L) group (n = 8), saline (SA group, n = 8); and sham operation group (sham group, n = 8). Eight minutes of untreated VF was followed by defibrillation in anesthetized, closed-chest pigs. Hemodynamic status and blood samples were obtained at 0 min, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and the hearts were removed and analyzed under electron microscopy, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and ultra structural analysis were performed to evaluate myocardial injury. RESULTS: Compared with the sildenafil + L-NAME and saline groups, the sildenafil group had better outcomes in terms of hemodynamic and oxygen metabolism parameters as well as 24-h survival rate, and attenuated myocardial injury; In this study, CA pigs showed evidently increased levels of miR-155-5p and miR-145-5p, while the sildenafil treatment decreased the levels of miR-155-5p and miR-145-5p in CA pigs. In addition, the levels of eNOS was decreased in CA pigs, validating sildenafil attenuating post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction by regulating miRNA-155 and miR-145 expressions. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil group had better outcomes in terms of hemodynamic and oxygen metabolism parameters as well as 24-h survival rate, inhibited the increases in the miR-155-5p and miR-145-5p levels and attenuated myocardial injury in a porcine model of CA and resuscitation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13049-020-00819-5.