Work

Effects of sildenafil and metformin on endothelin-1 in the progression of pulmonary hypertension

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and potentially fatal condition if left untreated. Currently, only sildenafil and bosentan have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the medical treatment of pediatric patients. The availability of bosentan, in a developing country, such as Indonesia, is a challenge. Aim: To evaluate the effect of sildenafil and metformin on endothelin (ET)-1 levels in the progression of PH. Methods: Forty-eight, 12-week-old, male Wistar rats, weighing 117-193 g, were injected by monocrotaline (MCT) [60 mg/kg body weight (BW)] subcutaneously. The rats were then randomly assigned to four groups (control, sildenafil, metformin, and sildenafil plus metformin). One day after MCT injection, sildenafil (5 mg/kg BW) and metformin (100 mg/kg BW) were administered once daily for 21 days. Right heart catheterization was performed on day 22 after anesthesia with ketamine 50 mg/kg BW and xylazine 5 mg/kg BW intramuscularly. Blood was taken intracardially for approximately 3.5 ml, and the rats were euthanized. The serum was stored in -20° refrigerator before ELISA analysis. The lung was harvested and paraffin-blocked for later histology analysis. Blood serum was analyzed for ET-1, and a section of paraffin-blocked lung was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and α-smooth muscle actin. Intima media thickness (IMT) of 50-200 µm artery and ratio of pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle cells/fibroblast were analyzed. Results: The mean PA pressure (mPAP) and ET-1 of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group. IMT was significantly lower in the sildenafil plus metformin group than in the other groups. Conclusion: Sildenafil and metformin alone or in combination improve mPAP and ET-1 levels. Sildenafil plus metformin prevents artery remodeling in the PH model.

Source: Open Veterinary Journal

DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2025.v15.i7.20

Authors: Agus Cahyono, Irwanto -, Mahrus Rahman, Widjiati Widjiati

Institutions: University of Surabaya, Universitas Airlangga

Language: English

Topic: Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $350