Protective effect of vardenafil on ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat ovary

Aim: To investigate the effect of vardenafil on ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovary. Materials and methods: A total of 21 Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups. In group 1, ovary torsion was not performed and no drug was administered. In group 2, 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. In group 3, 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were performed and 1 mg/kg vardenafil was administered after 30 min of ischemia. Right ovaries were surgically removed in all groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. Apoptosis protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was measured by using immunohistochemistry. Results: MDA level was significantly increased and SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were significantly decreased in group 2 compared to the other groups (P 0.05). In light microscopic investigations, severe vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage, and follicular degeneration were assessed in the ovary tissue. Ovarian tissue damage was higher in group 2 than group 3. Apaf-1 expression was stronger in group 2 than group 3. Conclusion: Vardenafil treatment seems to reduce microscopic histopathological changes, decrease Apaf-1 response, and alter oxidative stress in I/R injury in rat ovaries.