Effects of raloxifene on the urethra of adult castrated female rats

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of raloxifene on the weight and epithelial thickness of the urethra of castrated female rats. Methods Forty castrated female rats were randomly separated into two groups: group I (control, n = 20) received only the vehicle, and group II (raloxifene, n = 20) received 750 μg day of raloxifene for 30 days. On the 31st day, the animals were sacrificed and the urethras were removed for the study. A model for categorical data using the weighted minimum mean square error method and Student's t test were used for the data analysis (p < 0.05). Results The mean weights of the urethras in groups I and II were 22 ± 1.6 mg and 24 ± 1.7 mg, respectively (p = 0.371). There was an increase in the mean epithelial thickness of the distal segments in group II compared to group I (50.7 ± 1.9 μm vs. 45.3 ± 1.6 μm, respectively) (p < 0.04). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean epithelial thickness of the proximal urethra between the two groups (p = 0.187). Conclusion Raloxifene administered to castrated female rats for 30 days increased the distal urethral epithelial thickness and did not alter the weight of the urethra.