Effects of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (viagra) on biochemical parameters of l-name-induced testicular toxicity in adult male wistar rats
Authors:   Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, G.O Adunmo , A.O Oyewopo ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, O.A Akindehin ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, D.A Stephen ,   Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-irese, Nigeria, O.E Ogunbiyi ,   4Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Colleges of Health Sciences, Babcock University, Nigeria., I.A Abdulazeez ,   Department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, A.Z Lawal ,   Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, O.S Adeleke ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University, Nigeria, A.M Akingbade ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, F.O Opoola ,   Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Nigeria, S.O Ajayi ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Nigeria, A.J. Ajayi ,   Department of Anatomy, Federal University Wukari Taraba State, Nigeria
Published: June 2024

Testicular toxicity is a growing concern in today's world, with various factors contributing to its prevalence. Nitric oxide (NO) imbalance, often induced by N (gamma)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), is a significant factor associated with testicular dysfunction. Sildenafil (Viagra), a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, has shown promise in improving testicular function by modulating NO levels. This study aimed to investigate the role of Sildenafil (Viagra) on biochemical parameters of L-NAME-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control (physiological saline-treated), L-Name (L-Name-induced testicular toxicity), PDE (Sildenafil-treated), and L-Name + Sildenafil (co-treatment) and subjected to a 56-day treatment regimen. At the end of the administration, the animals were sacrificed, tissues collected and biochemical and histological assessments were performed. Findings revealed that L-Name administration led to a significant decreased in nitric oxide levels, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and increase in oxidative stress when compared to the control group. Furthermore, histological analysis demonstrated structural alterations in the testes of L-NAME-treated rats, indicative of testicular toxicity. Rats treated with Sildenafil showed a slight reversal of these adverse effects. Also, slight reversals of impaired spermatogenesis were evident in the co-treatment group. This study provides compelling evidence for the potential therapeutic role of sildenafil in ameliorating L-NAME-induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats.