Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant action of tadalafil in testicular regeneration process after heat stress

Abstract

Tadalafil, a potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor 5 (PDE-5), is commonly used for the management of erectile dysfunction. However, its therapeutic potential extends beyond this indication. This study aimed to investigate the impact of tadalafil on the recovery of testicular parenchyma in male Wistar rats exposed to testicular thermal stress. Fifty-four Wistar rats were subjected to testicular thermal stress and randomly assigned to receive either tadalafil treatment (TAD) or no treatment (control). TAD was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of either 0.9 mg/kg or 1.8 mg/kg. Biometric parameters, histopathological assessment of the testis, serum testosterone levels, oxidative stress, and interleukin levels were evaluated on days 7, 15, and 30 after thermal shock. The animals were euthanized at the end of each experimental period, and samples were collected. TAD treatment maintained testicular weight and reduced the testicular degenerative process up to day 7 post-injury. However, despite TAD therapy, serum testosterone levels were decreased in the treated groups at days 7 and 15 post-thermal stress. TAD also decreased TNF-α and NO levels at different doses but had no effect on IL-6. The treatment with TAD after heat shock demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but did not prevent the aggravation of testicular lesions in subsequent periods, even with the systematic reduction in TNF-α and NO levels. Therefore, this selective PDE-5 inhibitor, at the dosages used, did not have a positive impact on testosterone levels during the post-thermal stress period, which could compromise the resumption of the spermatogenic process.