Effects of Sildenafil in Nω-Nitro-l-Arginine Methyl Ester-Induced Intrauterine Growth Restriction in a Rat Model

• DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1304823
• Publication Date: 2012-03-08T00:42:55Z
• Authors: Anwar Nassar; Karim Masrouha; Hana Itani; Khalil Nader; Ihab Usta
• Keywords: Fetal Growth Retardation; Vasodilator Agents; Piperazines; Sildenafil Citrate; Rats; 3. Good health; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Disease Models, Animal; Proteinuria; 03 medical and health sciences; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; 0302 clinical medicine; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Purines; Animals; Birth Weight; Female; Sulfones

<b>Objective</b> To assess the effect of sildenafil citrate in a rat model Nω-nitro-<sc>l</sc>-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). <b>Study Design</b> An vivo experimental study was conducted where 40 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive either: (1) control, (2) L-NAME 50 mg/kg/d by gavage (days 14 19), (3) and 15 gavage, or (4) 21). On day 21, hysterotomy performed all fetuses (live dead) counted, examined, weighed. The primary outcome measure difference pup birth weight. <b>Results</b> median number live pups per dam 11.5 (range: 1 15), 13.5 (2 17), (7 16), (4 17) controls, L-NAME, sildenafil, combined drug groups, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Rats treated with had significantly higher stillbirths compared control 0.013) 0.008) groups. reduced weight controls (4.53 ± 1.49 versus 5.65 1.63 g, <i>p</i> < 0.001); this more pronounced groups (3.37 1.25 0.001). <b>Conclusion</b> Our data indicate that does not ameliorate L-NAME-induced IUGR, doses utilized might even have synergistic negative on