• Br. J. Pharmacol. · Feb 2008

    Role of the NO/cGMP/K(ATP) pathway in the protective effects of sildenafil against ethanol-induced gastric damage in rats.

    • J V R Medeiros, G G Gadelha, S J Lima, J A Garcia, P M G Soares, A A Santos, G A C Brito, R A Ribeiro, and M H L P Souza.
    • Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
    • Br. J. Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 1;153(4):721-7.

    Background And PurposeSildenafil is a selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase. Sildenafil, acting via NO-dependent mechanisms, prevents indomethacin-induced gastropathy. Activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) is involved in gastric defence. Our objective was to evaluate the role of the NO/cGMP/K(ATP) pathway in the protective effects of sildenafil against ethanol-induced gastric damage.Experimental ApproachRats were treated with L-NAME (1 or 3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or with L-arginine (200 mg kg(-1), i.p.) + L-NAME (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.), the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ (10 mg kg(-1), i.p.), glibenclamide (0.1, 0.3, 1 or 3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or with glibenclamide (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) + diazoxide (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.). After thirty minutes, the rats received sildenafil (1 mg kg(-1), by gavage), followed by intragastric instillation of absolute ethanol (4 ml kg(-1)) to induce gastric damage. One hour later, gastric damage (haemorrhagic or ulcerative lesions) was measured with a planimetry programme. Samples of stomach were also taken for histopathological assessment and for assays of tissue glutathione and haemoglobin.Key ResultsSildenafil significantly reduced ethanol-induced gastric damage in rats. L-NAME alone, without L-arginine, significantly reversed the protection afforded by sildenafil. Inhibition of guanylate cyclase by ODQ completely abolished the gastric protective effect of sildenafil against ethanol-induced gastric damage. Glibenclamide alone reversed sildenafil's gastric protective effect. However, glibenclamide plus diazoxide did not alter the effects of sildenafil.ConclusionsSildenafil had a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric damage through the activation of the NO/cGMP/K(ATP) pathway.

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