Stimulation of cGMP signalling protects coronary endothelium against reperfusion-induced intercellular gap formation.

Aims: Ischaemia-reperfusion provokes barrier failure of the coronary microvasculature, impeding functional recovery of the heart during reperfusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the stimulation of cGMP signalling by activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) can reduce reperfusion-induced endothelial intercellular gap formation and to determine whether this is due to an influence on endothelial cytosolic Ca(2+) homeostasis during reperfusion.

Methods And Results: Experiments were performed with cultured coronary endothelial monolayers and isolated saline-perfused rat hearts.