The effects of sildenafil and tadalafil on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovarian torsion model

Objective: In cases of ovarian torsion (OT), reperfusion injury may further damage ovarian tissue. Tadalafil and sildenafil are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors that are primarily used for treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of these agents in preventing ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat OT model. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 young adult female Wistar Albino rats were randomized into six groups (n=8 in each group); group 1: control sham operated, group 2: sildenafil one mg/kg, group 3: tadalafil one mg/kg, group 4: sildenafil one mg/kg + ischemia/reperfusion, (I/R) two hours of ischemia and two hours of reperfusion and a single dose of oral one mg/kg sildenafil one hour before I/R, group 5: I/R, and group 6: tadalafil one mg/kg + YR two hours of ischemia and two hours of reperfusion and a single dose of oral one mg/kg tadalafil one hour before I/R. Histopathologic evaluation was performed and scored according to the degree of congestion, edema, and hemorrhage. Total histological score (THS), tissue protein carbonyl (PC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and catalase (CAT) activity were also calculated. Results: Group 4, group 5, and group 6 had similar congestion, edema and THS (p > 0.05). Group 6 had significantly lower hemorrhage score, when compared with group 5 (p = 0.03). Mean PC, MDA levels, and CAT were similar between groups 4, 5, and 6 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Tadalafil was associated with a decreased tissue hemorrhage score in I/R injury in rat ovarian torsion model.