EFFECT OF PENTOXIFYLLINE ON VENOOCCLUSIVE PRIAPISM-INDUCED CORPOREAL TISSUE LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN A RAT MODEL

Objective: To investigate whether pentoxifylline could play a role in attenuation of the hazardous effects of ischemia/reperfusion on corpor eal tissue in a rat model of veno-occlusive priapism (VOP). Materials and methods: Placebo and pentoxifylline were given to eight groups of rats prior to priapism being induced by a vacuum constrictive device f or durations of 6 and 12 h, respectively. Half of the groups of rats t hat underwent the same duration of priapism (ischemic) were subjected to 1 h of detumescence after band removal (reperfusion). One group und erwent no manipulation and no drug: administration and served as a bas eline determination (control). Corporeal homogenates were examined for lipid peroxidation (LP) derived malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation vi a thiobarbituric acid assay. Results: MDA concentration differed signi ficantly between VOP rats and controls (P < 0.001) but did not differ significantly between ischemic-only groups and reperfused groups (P > 0.05). In the pentoxifylline-pretreated groups, although MDA accumulat ion tended to be slightly lower than in the placebo groups, the differ ence was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) either in the 6- or 12-h duration priapic groups. Conclusions: LP, an indicator of radical oxygen metabolite (ROM) induced injury, occurs in rat corporeal tissu e during and after abolishment of VOP. Single-dose pentoxifylline pret reatment failed to exert a protective effect on corporeal tissue in a rat model of VOP in terms of attenuation of LP.