Reduction of shock wave lithotripsy-induced renal tubular injury by tadalafil

The aim of the study was to examine whether administration of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, has a protective effect in the prevention of renal injury in a rat model after Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL), with the assessment based on histopathologic examination and measurement of Heat Shock Protein 70 expression. A total of 40 adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups as follows; control group, group SN3, group SN7, group TSN3, TSN7. Both kidneys were evaluated regarding tubular damage, peritubular fibrosis and glomerular damage using light microscopy. We examined HSP-70 expression, which occurred in response to renal ischemic injury observed after SWL. The groups were compared between each other and with the control group. No statistically significant difference was found when the groups were compared using light microscopy for the changes in glomeruli. Tubular necrosis, loss of microvilli and peritubular fibrosis were less in Group TSN3 and Group TSN7 compared to Group SN3. Similarly, tubular necrosis, loss of microvilli and peritubular fibrosis were less in Group TSN3 and Group TSN7 compared to Group SN7. HSP-70 staining was less in Group TSN3 and Group TSN7 compared to Group SN3 and Group SN7. Based on the results of light microscopy and HSP-70 staining, we demonstrated that SWL could cause renal ischemia- reperfusion injury. Our results suggested that Tadalafil administration could prevent this SWL-related renal cell injury (Tab. 2, Fig. 5, Ref. 28).