The effect of tadalafil on anastomotic healing in ischemic small intestine in rats

To investigate the effect of tadalafil on anastomotic healing in an ischemic small intestine. Standardized transection and anastomosis in the small intestine were performed in 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four equal groups (n = 12): group 1, normal anastomosis; group 2, ischemic anastomosis; group 3, normal anastomosis+tadalafil treatment; group 4, ischemic anastomosis+tadalafil treatment. Ischemia was established by ligating 2 cm of mesentery on either side of the anastomosis. Tadalafil was given to the rats once a day at dose of 5 mg/kg. The anastomotic bursting pressures and hydroxyproline concentrations were measured on postoperative day 4. A histopathological evaluation of the anastomoses was also performed. The bursting pressure and hydroxyproline concentration in group 2 were significantly lower than those in the other groups. There was no difference in the hydroxyproline concentration among groups 1, 3, and 4. While there was no difference between groups 3 and 4, the bursting pressures were significantly higher in groups 3 and 4 than in group 1. The histopathological evaluation revealed no significant differences in inflammatory cell infiltration, vascularization, or anastomotic collagen deposition among the groups. Tadalafil treatment improved the anastomotic bursting pressure and the hydroxyproline concentration in both normal and ischemic small intestine anastomosis.