Introduction
The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether sildenafil is effective in minimizing and/or eliminating hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury effects. For this purpose, the authors experimentally performed biochemical and histopathological examinations of the included rats using the hepatic ischemia/reperfusion model.
Materials and methods
The authors used 40 animals, with 10 rats in each group, in this study. Ischemia was applied 30–45 min with the hepatoduodenal ligament clamping, and then reperfusion is started. The rats were grouped as follows: the first group, only laparotomy; the second group, laparotomy and sildenafil; the third group, hepatic ischemia-reperfusion; and the fourth group, hepatic ischemia-reperfusion and sildenafil. During experimental studies, sildenafil capsules were opened, and appropriate dose required for animals had been created with the weighing scales. Then, the powder was diluted with saline. The authors gave sildenafil through oral gavage 15 minutes before the ischemia. 60 min after starting the experiment in 1–2 groups and 30 min after beginning reperfusion in 3–4 groups (60 min after beginning the experiment in all groups), blood was taken from the animals for biochemical analysis, and the animals were sacrificed. Simultaneously liver, lung, and kidney tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological examination.
Results
Based on plasma evaluation, total antioxidant status was lower (=0.0274) in ischemia/reperfusion group compared with ischemia/reperfusion+sildenafil group. However, there was no difference between the groups regarding total oxidant status values (=0.0274). When comparing total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index in liver tissue, a statistically significant difference was observed between groups (=0.012766 and =0.004081), but on comparing histopathological scores, there was no difference between groups (=0.1244).
Conclusion
Sildenafil partly reduced the effects of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury on the liver and distant organs, although this difference was not statistically significant.