Use of sildenafil citrate in cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR); a prospective trial

Abstract

sildenafil citrate treatment may present a new hope towards better perinatal outcomes for pregnancies complicated by IUGR and impaired placental circulation that may help to decrease neonatal admission to the newborn nursery.

Therapeutic targeting of 3′,5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: inhibition and beyond

“…A cream version of sildenafil has recently been tested in a Phase II study examining female sexual arousal disorder (Table 3) as well as a study in which improved blood flow in patients with secondary Raynaud phenomenon was observed (153). International consortiums are testing sildenafil in intrauterine growth restriction in hopes that the vasodilatory properties of the drug will improve uteroplacental perfusion and, thus, fetal growth (154,155). Initial results suggest sildenafil improves fetal growth and maternal blood pressure across species, including human, sheep, rabbit, and rodents (156,157).…”

Differences in the Expression of KIR, ILT Inhibitory Receptors, and VEGF Production in the Induced Decidual NK Cell Cultures of Fertile and RPL Women

“…During normal pregnancy, the trophoblast releases nitric oxide (NO), which is a potent vasodilator. However, decreased NO release may occur in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction [ 18 ]. NO synthase isoforms were identified in the uterus [ 19 ].…”

“…Some authors pointed out that treatment with SC increased the production of VEGF and Ang-1 during cardiovascular ischemia and diabetic erectile dysfunction [ 6 , 23 ]. According to accumulating evidence, sildenafil citrate could be applied in the treatment of various complications of pregnancy, including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) [ 18 , 24 – 26 ], low birth weight [ 27 ], preeclampsia, or idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) [ 18 , 20 , 27 – 30 ]. Since the presence of PDE5 in lymphocytes was demonstrated by Tenor et al [ 31 ], numerous studies have focused on the impact of sildenafil citrate on the immune system [ 32 ].…”

Sildenafil Versus Aspirin with Intrauterine Growth Restriction

“…Sildenafil citrate acting by blockage of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors that break-down cGMP, subsequently, intermediating the vasodilator impacts of NO. 6 Disclosure: The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. The Article Processing Charge was paid for by the authors.…”