Stimulating effects of vardenafil, tadalafil, and udenafil on vascular endothelial growth factor, angiogenesis, vitamin D-3, bone morphogenic proteins in ovariectomized rats

Objective: This study investigated the effect of vardenafil, tadalafil, and udenafil from phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5Is) on bone morphogenic-protein (BMP)2 and 4 levels, along with angiogenesis in ovariectomized rat's kidney. Method: Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10). Sham: abdomen was opened, and closed. OVX: ovaries were removed. OVX + vardenafil, OVX + tadalafil, and OVX + udenafil groups: ovaries were removed and closed, and after 6 months from postoperative, 10 mg/kg of vardenafil, tadalafil, and udenafil were administrated as daily a single-dose for 60 days, respectively. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations were performed for angiogenesis, and biochemical analysis for vascular endothelial growth-factor (VEGF), VitaminD(3), BMP2 and 4 levels in rat's kidney. Results: VEGF, BMP2 and 4, VitaminD(3), and angiogenesis were high in the all inhibitor groups compared with the sham and OVX (p < .05). However, BMP4 levels were only high in the OVX + tadalafil group (p < .05). Conclusion: The results indicated that vardenafil, udenafil, and especially tadalafil increased VEGF, BMP2, and VitaminD(3) levels.