Genetic and pharmacologic hydrogen sulfide therapy attenuates ischemia-induced heart failure in mice.

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is an endogenous signaling molecule with potent cytoprotective effects. The present study evaluated the therapeutic potential of H(2)S in murine models of heart failure.

Methods And Results: Heart failure was induced by subjecting mice either to permanent ligation of the left coronary artery for 4 weeks or to 60 minutes of left coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion for 4 weeks.