sGC STIMULATORS

Abstract

Compounds of Formula I are described. They are useful as stimulators of sGC, particularly NO-independent, heme-dependent stimulators. These compounds may be useful for treating, preventing or managing various disorders that are herein disclosed.

1 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A method of treating a disease, health condition or disorder in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to the subject in need of the treatment, 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         ring B is a 5-membered heteroaryl ring selected from furan or thiophene; 
         n is an integer selected from 0 to 3; 
         each J B  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, a C 1-6  aliphatic, —OR B  or a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic group; wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic and each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of R 3 ; 
         each R B  is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6  aliphatic or a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring; wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic and each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of R 3a ; 
         each R 3  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl) or —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl); 
         each R 3a  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl) or —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl); 
         X is selected from N, C-J D  or C—H; 
         o is an integer selected from 0 to 3; 
         each J D  is independently selected from halogen, —NO 2 , —OR D , —SR D , —C(O)R D , —C(O)OR D , —C(O)N(R D ) 2 , —CN, —N(R D ) 2 , —N(R d )C(O)R D , —N(R d )C(O)OR D , —SO 2 R D , —SO 2 N(R D ) 2 , —N(R d )SO 2 R D , a C 1-6  aliphatic, —(C 1-6  aliphatic)-R D , a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, a 6 to 10-membered aryl ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5 to 10-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocylic ring and each said 5 to 10-membered heteroaryl ring contains between 1 and 3 heteroatoms independently selected from O, N or S; and wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic, each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, each said 6 to 10-membered aryl ring, each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5 to 10-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of R 5 ; 
         each R D  is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6  aliphatic, —(C 1-6  aliphatic)-R f , a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or a 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocylic ring and each said 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring contains between 1 and 3 heteroatoms independently selected from O, N or S; and wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic, each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, each said phenyl and each said 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of R 5a ; 
         each R d  is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6  aliphatic, —(C 1-6  aliphatic)-R f , a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or a 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said heterocylic ring and each said heteroaryl ring contains between 1 and 3 heteroatoms independently selected from O, N or S; and wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic, each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, each said phenyl and each said 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of R 5b ; 
         each R f  is independently selected from a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, phenyl or a 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said heterocylic ring and each said heteroaryl ring contains between 1 and 3 heteroatoms independently selected from 0, N or S; and wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic, each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, each said phenyl and each said 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of R 5c ; 
         when J D  is —C(O)N(R D ) 2 , —N(R D ) 2  or —SO 2 N(R D ) 2 , the two instances of R D  together with the nitrogen atom attached to the R D , alternatively form a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S, and wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of R 5 ; or 
         when J D  is —N(R d )C(O)R D , the R D  group together with the carbon atom attached to the R D  group, with the nitrogen atom attached to the R d  group and with the R d  group alternatively form a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S, and wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of R 5 ; 
         when J D  is —N(R d )C(O)OR D , the R D  group together with the oxygen atom attached to the R D  group, with the carbon atom of the —C(O)— portion of the —N(R d )C(O)OR D  group, with the nitrogen atom attached to the R d  group, and with the R d  group alternatively form a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S, and wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of R 5 ; 
         when J D  is —N(R d )SO 2 R D , the R D  group together with the oxygen atom attached to the R D  group, with the sulfur atom attached to said oxygen atom in the —SO 2 R D  portion of the N(R d )SO 2 R D  group, with the nitrogen atom attached to the R d  group, and with the R d  group alternatively form a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S, and wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of R 5 ; 
         each R 5  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , C 1-4  alkyl, a C 7-12  aralkyl, C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 1-4  cyanoalkyl, —OR 6 , —SR 6 , —OCOR 6 , —COR 6 , —C(O)OR 6 , —C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )C(O)R 6 , —N(R 6 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )SO 2 R 6 , phenyl or an oxo group; wherein each said phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4  alkyl), —N(C 1-4  alkyl) 2 , —NO 2 , —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl) or —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl); and wherein each said C 7-12  aralkyl and each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         each R 5a  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , C 1-4  alkyl, a C 7-12  aralkyl, C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 1-4  cyanoalkyl, —OR 6 , —SR 6 , —OCOR 6 , —COR 6 , —C(O)OR 6 , —C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )C(O)R 6 , —N(R 6 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )SO 2 R 6 , phenyl or an oxo group; wherein each said phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4  alkyl), —N(C 1-4  alkyl) 2 , —NO 2 , —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl) or —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl); and wherein each said C 7-12  aralkyl and each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         each R 5b  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , C 1-4  alkyl, a C 7-12  aralkyl, C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 1-4  cyanoalkyl, —OR 6 , —SR 6 , —OCOR 6 , —COR 6 , —C(O)OR 6 , —C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )C(O)R 6 , —N(R 6 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )SO 2 R 6 , phenyl or an oxo group; wherein each said phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4  alkyl), —N(C 1-4  alkyl) 2 , —NO 2 , —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl) or —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl); and wherein each said C 7-12  aralkyl and each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         each R 5c  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , C 1-4  alkyl, a C 7-12  aralkyl, C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 1-4  cyanoalkyl, —OR 6 , —SR 6 , —OCOR 6 , —COR 6 , —C(O)OR 6 , —C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )C(O)R 6 , —N(R 6 ) 2 , —SO 2 R 6 , —SO 2 N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )SO 2 R 6 , phenyl or an oxo group; wherein each said phenyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4  alkyl), —N(C 1-4  alkyl) 2 , —NO 2 , —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl) or —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl); and wherein each said C 7-12  aralkyl and each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         each R 6  is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-4  alkyl, a C 2-4  alkenyl, phenyl, a C 7-12  aralkyl or a C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring; wherein each said C 1-4  alkyl, each said C 2-4  alkenyl, each said phenyl, each said C 7-12  aralkyl and each said C 3-8  cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         alternatively, two instances of R 6  linked to the same nitrogen atom of R 5 , together with said nitrogen atom of R 5 , form a 5 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 5 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; or 
         alternatively, one instance of R 6  linked to a nitrogen atom of R 5  and one instance of R 6  linked to a carbon or sulfur atom of the same R 5 , together with said nitrogen and said carbon or sulfur atom of the same R 5 , form a 5 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 5 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; 
         or, alternatively, two J D  groups attached to two vicinal ring D atoms, taken together with said two vicinal ring D atoms, form a 5 to 7-membered heterocycle resulting in a fused ring D wherein said 5 to 7-membered heterocycle contains from 1 to 3 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and wherein said 5 to 7-membered heterocycle is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4  alkyl), —N(C 1-4  alkyl) 2 , —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl), —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl), oxo or phenyl; wherein said phenyl is optionally and independently substituted by up to three instances of halogen, —OH, —NH 2 , —NH(C 1-4  alkyl), —N(C 1-4  alkyl) 2 , —NO 2 , —CN, C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, —O(C 1-4  alkyl) or —O(C 1-4  haloalkyl); 
         R C  is a ring C; ring C is a phenyl ring, a monocyclic 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, a bicyclic 8 to 10-membered heteroaryl ring, a monocyclic 3 to 10-membered cycloaliphatic ring, or a monocyclic 4 to 10-membered heterocycle; wherein said monocyclic 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring, said bicyclic 8 to 10-membered heteroaryl ring, or said monocyclic 4 to 10-membered heterocycle contain between 1 and 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O or S; wherein said monocyclic 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl ring is not a 1,3,5-triazinyl ring; and wherein said phenyl, monocyclic 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl ring, bicyclic 8 to 10-membered heteroaryl ring, or monocyclic 4 to 10-membered heterocycle is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances off; 
         each J C  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , a C 1-6  aliphatic, —OR″, —SR H , —N(R H ) 2 , a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring or a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring; wherein said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring contains 1 or 2 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic, each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring and each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of R 7 ; or alternatively, two J C  groups attached to two vicinal ring C atoms, taken together with said two vicinal ring C atoms, form a 5 to 7-membered heterocycle resulting in a fused ring C; wherein said 5 to 7-membered heterocycle contains from 1 to 2 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; 
         each R H  is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-6  aliphatic, a C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring or a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocylic ring contains between 1 and 3 heteroatoms independently selected from O, N or S; and wherein each said C 1-6  aliphatic, each said C 3-8  cycloaliphatic ring, each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of R 7a ; 
         alternatively, two instances of R H  linked to the same nitrogen atom of J C , together with said nitrogen atom of J C , form a 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S, and wherein each said 4 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring is optionally and independently substituted by up to 3 instances of R 7b ; or 
         each R 7  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring, —OR 8 , —SR 8 , —N(R 8 ) 2 , or an oxo group; wherein each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         each R 7a  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring, —OR 8 , —SR 8 , —N(R 8 ) 2 , or an oxo group; wherein each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         each R 7b  is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO 2 , C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl, C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring, —OR 8 , —SR 8 , —N(R 8 ) 2 , or an oxo group; wherein each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         each R 8  is independently selected from hydrogen, a C 1-4  alkyl, C 1-4  haloalkyl or a C 3-8  cycloalkyl ring; wherein each said cycloalkyl group is optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of halogen; 
         alternatively, two instances of R 8  linked to the same nitrogen atom of R 7 , together with said nitrogen atom of R 7 , form a 5 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring; wherein each said 5 to 8-membered heterocyclic ring and each said 5-membered heteroaryl ring optionally contains up to 2 additional heteroatoms independently selected from N, O or S; and 
         R A  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, C 1-4  alkyl or C 1-4  haloalkyl; 
         wherein the disease, health condition or disorder is
 (a) a peripheral or cardiac vascular disorder or health condition selected from: pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and associated pulmonary vascular remodeling, localized pulmonary thrombosis, right heart hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertonia, primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, familial pulmonary hypertension, sporadic pulmonary hypertension, pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, thrombotic pulmonary artheriopathy, plexogenic pulmonary artheriopathy; pulmonary hypertension associated with or related to: left ventricular dysfunction, hypoxemia, mitral valve disease, constrictive pericarditis, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, mediastinal fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, pulmonary venooclusive disease, pulmonary vasculitis, collagen vascular disease, congenital heart disease, pulmonary venous hypertension, interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing, apnea, alveolar hypoventilation disorders, chronic exposure to high altitude, neonatal lung disease, alveolar-capillary dysplasia, sickle cell disease, other coagulation disorders, chronic thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, connective tissue disease, lupus, schitosomiasis, sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis; histiocytosis X, lymphangiomatosis and compressed pulmonary vessels; 
 (b) a health disorder related to high blood pressure and decreased coronary blood flow selected from:
 increased acute and chronic coronary blood pressure, arterial hypertension, vascular disorder resulting from heart disease, stroke, cerebral ischemia, or renal failure, congestive heart failure, thromboembolic disorders, ischemias, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attacks, stable or unstable angina pectoris, arrhythmias, diastolic dysfunction, coronary insufficiency; 
 
 (c) atherosclerosis, restenosis, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties or inflammation; 
 (d) liver cirrhosis, hepatic fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, hepatic fibrous collagen and total collagen accumulation, liver disease of necro-inflammatory and/or of immunological origin; or 
 (e) a urogenital system disorder selected from renal fibrosis, renal failure resulting from chronic kidney diseases or insufficiency, prostate hypertrophy, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction and incontinence. 
 
       
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the disease, health condition or disorder is
 (a) a peripheral or cardiac vascular disorder or health condition selected from: pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and associated pulmonary vascular remodeling, localized pulmonary thrombosis, right heart hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertonia, primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, familial pulmonary hypertension, sporadic pulmonary hypertension, pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, thrombotic pulmonary artheriopathy, plexogenic pulmonary artheriopathy; pulmonary hypertension associated with or related to: left ventricular dysfunction, hypoxemia, mitral valve disease, constrictive pericarditis, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, mediastinal fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, pulmonary venooclusive disease, pulmonary vasculitis, collagen vascular disease, congenital heart disease, pulmonary venous hypertension, interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing, apnea, alveolar hypoventilation disorders, chronic exposure to high altitude, neonatal lung disease, alveolar-capillary dysplasia, sickle cell disease, other coagulation disorders, chronic thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, connective tissue disease, lupus, schitosomiasis, sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis; histiocytosis X, lymphangiomatosis or compressed pulmonary vessels;   (b) liver cirrhosis, or   (c) a urogenital system disorder selected from renal fibrosis, renal failure resulting from chronic kidney diseases or insufficiency, erectile dysfunction or female sexual dysfunction.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the disease, health condition or disorder is pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and associated pulmonary vascular remodeling, localized pulmonary thrombosis, right heart hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertonia, primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, familial pulmonary hypertension, sporadic pulmonary hypertension, pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, thrombotic pulmonary arteriopathy, plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis, renal fibrosis, renal failure resulting from chronic kidney diseases or insufficiency, erectile dysfunction or female sexual dysfunction. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the disease, health condition or disorder is pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and associated pulmonary vascular remodeling, pulmonary hypertonia, primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, familial pulmonary hypertension, sporadic pulmonary hypertension, pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension or idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising administering an effective amount of one or more additional therapeutic agents to the subject. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the one or more additional therapeutic agents are selected from endothelium-derived releasing factor, NO donors, substances that enhance cGMP concentrations, nitric oxide synthase substrates, compounds which enhance eNOS transcription, NO-independent heme-independent sGC activators, heme-dependent sGC stimulators; inhibitors of cGMP degradation, calcium channel blockers, endothelin receptor antagonists, prostacyclin derivatives, antihyperlipidemics, anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, ACE inhibitors, supplemental oxygen, beta blockers, antiarrhythmic agents, diuretics, exogenous vasodilators, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, dietary supplements, PGD2 receptor antagonists, immunosuppressants, non-steroidal antiasthmatics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or anti-diabetic agents. 
     
     
         70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising administering an effective amount of one or more additional therapeutic agents to the subject. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the one or more additional therapeutic agents are selected from endothelium-derived releasing factor, NO donors, substances that enhance cGMP concentrations, nitric oxide synthase substrates, compounds which enhance eNOS transcription, NO-independent heme-independent sGC activators, heme-dependent sGC stimulators; inhibitors of cGMP degradation, calcium channel blockers, endothelin receptor antagonists, prostacyclin derivatives, antihyperlipidemics, anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, ACE inhibitors, supplemental oxygen, beta blockers, antiarrhythmic agents, diuretics, exogenous vasodilators, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, dietary supplements, PGD2 receptor antagonists, immunosuppressants, non-steroidal antiasthmatics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or anti-diabetic agents. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising administering an effective amount of one or more additional therapeutic agents to the subject. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the one or more additional therapeutic agents are selected from endothelium-derived releasing factor, NO donors, substances that enhance cGMP concentrations, nitric oxide synthase substrates, compounds which enhance eNOS transcription, NO-independent heme-independent sGC activators, heme-dependent sGC stimulators; inhibitors of cGMP degradation, calcium channel blockers, endothelin receptor antagonists, prostacyclin derivatives, antihyperlipidemics, anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, ACE inhibitors, supplemental oxygen, beta blockers, antiarrhythmic agents, diuretics, exogenous vasodilators, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, dietary supplements, PGD2 receptor antagonists, immunosuppressants, non-steroidal antiasthmatics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or anti-diabetic agents.