The soluble guanylate cyclase activator BAY 58-2667 protects against morbidity and mortality in endotoxic shock by recoupling organ systems

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 28;8(8):e72155. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072155. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Sepsis and septic shock are associated with high mortality rates and the majority of sepsis patients die due to complications of multiple organ failure (MOF). The cyclic GMP (cGMP) producing enzyme soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is crucially involved in the regulation of (micro)vascular homeostasis, cardiac function and, consequently, organ function. However, it can become inactivated when exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The resulting heme-free sGC can be reactivated by the heme- and nitric oxide (NO)-independent sGC activator BAY 58-2667 (Cinaciguat). We report that late (+8 h) post-treatment with BAY 58-2667 in a mouse model can protect against lethal endotoxic shock. Protection was associated with reduced hypothermia, circulating IL-6 levels, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and mortality. In contrast to BAY 58-2667, the sGC stimulator BAY 41-2272 and the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor Sildenafil did not have any beneficial effect on survival, emphasizing the importance of the selectivity of BAY 58-2667 for diseased vessels and tissues. Hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure and heart rate) were decreased, and linear and nonlinear indices of blood pressure variability, reflective for (un)coupling of the communication between the autonomic nervous system and the heart, were improved after late protective treatment with BAY 58-2667. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the pivotal role of the NO/sGC axis in endotoxic shock. Stabilization of sGC function with BAY 58-2667 can prevent mortality when given in the correct treatment window, which probably depends on the dynamics of the heme-free sGC pool, in turn influenced by oxidative stress. We speculate that, considering the central role of sGC signaling in many pathways required for maintenance of (micro)circulatory homeostasis, BAY 58-2667 supports organ function by recoupling inter-organ communication pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Benzoates / pharmacology*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Drug Synergism
  • Enzyme Activators / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Guanylate Cyclase
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocardium / immunology
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Purines / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Shock, Septic / drug therapy*
  • Shock, Septic / immunology
  • Shock, Septic / physiopathology
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones / pharmacology

Substances

  • 3-(4-Amino-5-cyclopropylpyrimidine-2-yl)-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo(3,4-b)pyridine
  • Benzoates
  • Enzyme Activators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyridines
  • Sulfones
  • BAY 58-2667
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Guanylate Cyclase

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT); Research Foundation Flanders (FWO); and Ghent University: Concerted Research Actions (GOA). The BD Pathway 855 is supported by European grants (Euregional PACT II), Belgian grants (Interuniversity Attraction Poles, IAP 7/32), Flemish grants (Research Foundation Flanders - FWO G.0875.11, FWO G.0973.11, FWO G.0A45.12N, G.0787.13N, Methusalem grant - BOF09/01M00709), Ghent University grants (MRP, GROUP-ID consortium), a grant from the Foundation against Cancer, F94) and grants from VIB. P.V. is holder of a Methusalem grant. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.