Sildenafil Reduces Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rat Ovary: Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluation

Background/Aims: To evaluate the effects of sildenafil on antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes in ovarian tissue after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in a rat model. Methods: A total of 18 adult female Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 g were studied as follows: (1) control group: sham operation, (2) I/R group: 3 h of reperfusion after 3 h of ischemia and (3) I/R + sildenafil group: 3 h of reperfusion after 3 h of ischemia; half an hour before reperfusion, sildenafil (1.4 mg·kg -1 ) was given by oral gavage. At the end of the reperfusion periods, the ovarian tissues were removed for histopathological examination and to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Results: The I/R group had higher ovarian tissue MDA levels than the control group and the IR + sildenafil group (p = 0.016 and p = 0.044, respectively). MPO activity was lower in the IR + sildenafil group compared with the I/R group (p = 0.022). SOD activity was lower in the I/R group compared with the control group and the I/R + sildenafil group (p = 0.030 and p = 0.015, respectively). The I/R + sildenafil group had improved histological appearance which was not different to the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The biochemical and histopathological results of this experimental study demonstrated that I/R injury in the ovary is ameliorated by sildenafil treatment.