Effect of new sildenafil analogues in the rabbit isolated aorta

Background Nitric oxide (NO) diffuses into vascular smooth muscle cells to cause stimulation of guanylyl cyclase to elevate cGMP. The accumulated cGMP is degraded by phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) in cavernosal and vascular smooth muscle (Boollel et al., 1996). PDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil (SILD), block the degradation of cGMP, and lead vasorelaxation through increases in cGMP levels. The major side-effect of PDE5 inhibitors is associated with vasodilatation, producing a significant hypotension in individuals who take organic nitrates.