used as an immunosuppressive and antineoplastic drug. Tadalafil (TAD) a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor has vasodilator, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. It is mainly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Aim of the Work: This work aimed to verify the effect of tadalafil on apoptosis and proliferation on the injured bladder mucosa after chemically induced HC.
Material and Methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups; group I was the control group, group II was TAD-treated group, group III was CYP-treated group and group IV was TAD-CYP treated group. Groups III and IV were subdivided into two subgroups (a and b), subgroups IIIa and IVa were euthanized after one day while subgroups IIIb and IVb were euthanized after 10 days. Urinary bladder specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic examination and immunohistochemical analysis of caspase-3 and Ki-67.
Results: Subgroup IIIa revealed haemorrhage and decrease of urothelium thickness with presence of denuded areas. Subgroup IIIb showed restoration of urothelium with focal denuded areas. Both subgroups showed a significant increase in apoptotic index while subgroup IIIb showed a significant increase in proliferative index. Subgroup IVa revealed a significant decrease in apoptosis associated with a significant increase in proliferation, thereby limiting cellular loss. Subgroup IVb; showed a significant decrease in both apoptosis and proliferation indicated prevention of the developed hyperplasia of the urothelium. By transmission electron microscopy, the terminal differentiation of superficial cells of group IV was expressed by presence of an angular contour.
Conclusion: TAD-CYP co-treatment provides a positive impact on the apoptosis, proliferation, and the histological changes of HC on urinary bladder mucosa. Therefore, further studies are required to elucidate the protective effect of TAD on CYP-induced HC.