2Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Farmakoloji Anabilim Dalı, Van
3Department of Cardiology, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
4Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Üroloji Anabilim Dalı, Van
Abstract
Objective: Sildenafil, an inhibitor of cGMP-speicific phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), is currently beign used as oral therapy for penil erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relaxing effect of sildenafil on vascular tissue and compare it with the known vasodilatator agents, sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine. Materials and Methods: Rat thoracic aorta samples were out into rigns, mounted on steel hooks, and immersed in areated Krebs solution maintained at 37 oC. Isometric responses were recorded by strain gauge transducers connected to a polygraph. Graded relaxations were induced using increasing concentrations of acetylcholine sodium nitroprusside and sildenafil. Results: The agents all dose-dependently relaxed rat aorta stripts. The relaxing potential of sildenafil was found to be similar to sodium nitroprussideş, but higher than acetylholine. Conclusion: In the absence of regulatory mechanisms, sildenafil citrate has noticable vasodilatatory effect in vitro