Tadalafil and its effects in renal function after kidney ischemia and reperfusion in rats

Background/purpose: Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) occurs in kidney transplantation and in partial nephrectomyes and it may result in acute tubular necrosis and other postoperative complications. We hypothesized that administration of tadalafil may attenuate circulating inflammatory biomarkers and improve fasting plasma urea, creatinine and C-reactive protein after renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: two groups of Wistar rats we used, both underwent right nephrectomy. Group I/R saline rats (n=6) were subjected to 30 minutes of renal ischemia by clamping the left renal artery and treated with saline; the I/R tadalafil rats (n=6) received 10mg/kg tadalafil by gavage one hour before ischemia. 24 hours after ischemia, laboratory analysis were performed. Results: The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased in the I/R tadalafil (152.86.8 pg / dL) rats, compared to I/R saline (53.55.2) (p<0.001). TNF- level was significantly lower in I/R tadalafil group rats compared to I/R saline group (26711.5 vs. 405.312.3), as well as IL-1 (160.412.3 vs 27418.4 pg/dL, respectively; P = 0.0001) Conclusion: We have provided evidence that tadalafil therapy ameliorates circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in a renal I/R rodent model, while improving kidney function proofs levels and reducing C-reactive protein. Further trials may lead to potential clinical application of tadalafil in cases of renal I/R.