Selective ROCK2 inhibition reduces microvascular obstruction but does not reduce myocardial infarction after ischaemia and reperfusion.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury causes infarction, microvascular obstruction (MVO), and haemorrhage. MVO, often driven by vasospasm, lacks effective therapy. The non-selective ROCK inhibitor fasudil, used for cerebral vasospasm, limits infarct size after myocardial I/R, but the roles of individual ROCK isoforms in limiting infarction and MVO remain unclear.

Aims

To determine the contribution of ROCK2 to myocardial and microvascular obstruction and to assess the vasodilatory potential of ROCK2 inhibition.

Methods

ROCK1/2 expression was analysed in rat hearts by RNAscope. Vascular myography assessed arterial responses to ROCK inhibitors. Rats underwent 30 min coronary occlusion and 180 min reperfusion, with ROCK2 inhibitor KD025 (100 mg/kg i.p

SUBMITTER: Pearce L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12907899 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature