The role of sildenafil citrate in the protection of gastric mucosa from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced damage.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the protective effects of sildenafil citrate (SC) on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in a rat model.

METHODS

Gastric ulcers were induced by oral ingestion of indomethacin. Thirty rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into 3 groups, and given either SC (n=10) at a dose of 50 mg/kg or omeprazole (n=10), or no treatment (n=10, the control group). In addition to the measurements of ulceration areas, the sum of gastric tissue nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) were evaluated as an indicator of gastric tissue NO level. All the measurements were done at 6th hour of oral administration of indomethacin.

RESULTS

The mean values of ulceration areas were 4.0+/-2.31, 3.0+/-2.00, and 21.4+/-8.43 in the SC, omeprazole and control groups, respectively. The mean values of ulceration areas in the SC-treated group was lower than that of the control group. The contents of NO were 32.2+/-3.05, 24.8+/-3.23 and 21.0+/-0.82 (micromol/g protein) in gastric tissue in indomethacin, SC, omeprazole and control groups, respectively, The content of NO in the SC-treated groups was significantly higher than control group (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Sildenafil citrate may have a role in protecting gastric mucosa from the damage caused by indomethacin. This effect may be associated with the increased level of NO in gastric tissue.