Defining the minimally effective dose and schedule for parenteral hydrogen sulfide: long-term benefits in a rat model of hindlimb ischemia.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects millions of Americans and leads to critical limb ischemia (CLI) in the most severe cases. Investigators have demonstrated the utility of hydrogen sulfide for restoring perfusion in rodent models of chronic ischemia. We sought to determine the minimum effective dose (MED) of sulfide necessary to restore perfusion in the rat hindlimb, to assess the persistence of limb perfusion after cessation of treatment, and to compare perfusion measurements between laser doppler and ultrasound methods.