Effects of MGC-0109, a slow-release sulphide donor, on myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Methods Ventilated, anaesthetized rats (4/group) were instrumented with vascular lines for drug/fluid administration. Following thoracotomy, the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was ligated for 30 min. Just prior to reperfusion, animals received i.v. MGC-0109 (10 mg/kg bolus) or n-saline. MGC-0109-treated animals received a further 2.5 mg/kg infusion over 15 min. Control animals received equivalent volumes of n-saline. Animals were monitored for a further 4 h. The LAD was then re-ligated and perfused with Evans Blue dye to determine the area at risk. Hearts were then excised, sliced in 1mm sections distal to the LAD ligature, and incubated with (red) tetrazolium chloride (taken up by non-infarcted tissue). Statistics: Non-parametric t test.