title: Effects of sildenafil in Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced intrauterine growth restriction in a rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of sildenafil citrate in a rat model of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
  
  
  METHODS
  An in vivo experimental study was conducted where 40 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive either: (1) control, (2) L-NAME 50 mg/kg/d by gavage (days 14 to 19), (3) L-NAME and sildenafil 15 mg/kg/d by gavage, or (4) sildenafil (days 14 to 21). On day 21, a hysterotomy was performed and all fetuses (live and dead) were counted, examined, and weighed. The primary outcome measure was the difference in pup birth weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of live pups per dam was 11.5 (range: 1 to 15), 13.5 (2 to 17), 13.5 (7 to 16), and 11.5 (4 to 17) in controls, L-NAME, sildenafil, and combined drug groups, respectively (p = 0.02). Rats treated with L-NAME had a significantly higher number of stillbirths compared with control (p = 0.013) and sildenafil (p = 0.008) groups. L-NAME reduced pup birth weight compared with controls (4.53 ± 1.49 versus 5.65 ± 1.63 g, p < 0.001); this effect was more pronounced in the L-NAME and sildenafil groups (3.37 ± 1.25 g, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that sildenafil citrate does not ameliorate L-NAME-induced IUGR, and in the doses utilized in this study might even have a synergistic negative effect on pup birth weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. an21@aub.edu.lb
authors.forename: Anwar H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Nassar
authors.forename: Karim Z
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Masrouha
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Itani
authors.forename: Khalil Abi
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Ihab M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Usta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000652:urine; D011247:Pregnancy; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D011687:Purines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester