Fig. 10: Comparison of nitrate-functionalized cardiac patch with organic nitrates delivered by transdermal patch in terms of NO transformation pathway and therapeutic mechanism.

Left: Organic nitrates administrated by transdermal patch or other routes often release into the vasculature rapidly and transform to NO through intravascular metabolism. Due to the short half-life of NO the therapeutics is mainly based on hemodynamic effects through dilation of vascular smooth muscle. Right: Compared to small molecular organic nitrates, local NO delivery by nitrate-functionalized patches can further provide non-hemodynamic effects on the ischemic myocardium, including cardioprotection and immunomodulation.