Protective effects of diltiazem and tadalafil on shock wave-induced kidney injury in rats

We aimed to compare the protective effects of tadalafil and diltiazem on renal histology after ischemia and reperfusion injury in a rat model of shock wave lithotripsy. A total of 40 adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups as follows; control group (group C), group S (SWL + nephrectomy), group T (SWL + tadalafil given before nephrectomy) and group D (SWL + diltiazem given before nephrectomy). Both kidneys were evaluated regarding tubular damage, peritubular fibrosis and heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) immune-expression of glomeruli, cortical and medullar collector tubules on light microscopy. HSP-70 levels of cortical and medullar collector tubules, tubular damage and peritubular fibrosis scores were decreased in group T compared with group S. Similarly, HSP-70 immunostaining levels on cortical and medullar collector tubules, tubular damage and peritubular fibrosis scores were decreased in group D compared with group S. No significant difference was detected between group D and group T for all parameters. As a result, shock waves induced renal cell damage due to increment of HSP-70 levels, morphological irregularity in tubules and increased peritubular fibrosis. Tadalafil and diltiazem had beneficial effects in decreasing renal tissue damage which was caused by SWL (Tab. 2, Fig. 6, Ref. 29).