Tadalafil attenuates ischemic damage as well as reperfusion injury in the rat ovary

Tadalafil is a selective phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor with a long half-life. It has a dual function in ischaemic and re-perfused tissues, i.e. vasodilatation and anti-oxidant effects. These features of tadalafil distinguish it from other anti-oxidants. We investigated the dual effect of tadalafil on ischaemia and reperfusion injury in the rat ovary.

We established five study groups. Group 1 (n=6): sham-operated; group 2 (n=6): torsion; group 3 (n=6): torsion and Tadalafil; group 4 (n=6): torsion/de-torsion; and group 5 (n=6): torsion/de-torsion and tadalafil. Ovarian samples were harvested from animals and evaluated in terms of histopathologic changes, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, lactate production, and plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).

Follicular degeneration, oedema, haemorrhage, and inflammatory cells were significantly decreased in group 5 in comparison with group 4. Group 2 and group 3 were compared in terms of vascular congestion and haemorrhage; these parameters were significantly decreased in group 3. In addition, significantly decreased MDA and lactate concentrations were observed in group 5 in comparison with group 4. Increased cGMP concentrations were detected in group 3 and group 5.

We conclude that tadalafil might be useful in protecting the ovary against ischaemia and reperfusion injury. In the evet of ovarian torsion, it will provide a greater therapeutic effect than only performing de-torsion of the ovary or using other anti-oxidant agents.