Antiapoptotic agents based on 1-benzyl-3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)indazole (22, YC-1) derivatives were explored for effective treatment of sepsis and septic shock. We found that compound 22, 1-benzyl-3-(5'-methoxymethyl-2'-furyl)indazole (27), and 1-phenyl-3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-indazole (23) were the most effective inhibitors of sodium nitroprusside-induced vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis. These three compounds are proposed as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of sepsis.
