Effect of allopurinol on lipid peroxidation induced in corporeal tissue by veno-occlusive priapism in a rat model

  • EVLIYAOGLU, Y.
  • KAYRIN, L.
  • KAYA, B.

  • Department of Urology, Adana Numune Hospital, and *Department of Biochemistry, Çukurova Medical Faculty, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey

    Y. Evliyaoglu, MD, Urologist, Associate Chief.

    L. Kayrin, PhD, Biochemist, Professor.

    B. Kaya, MD, PhD Student.

Accepted for publication 13 May 1997

Correspondence: Dr Y. Evliyaoglu, Ataturk Cad. No. 88/1, Adana, Turkey.

British Journal of Urology 80(3):p 476-479, September 1997.

Objective

To investigate the role of allopurinol in the attenuation of ischaemia- and reperfusion-induced corporeal injury in a rat model of veno-occlusive priapism.

Materials and methods

Placebo or allopurinol were given to eight groups of rats before priapism(ischaemia) was induced using a vacuum-constriction device for a duration of 6 or 12 h. Half of the groups of rats undergoing the same duration of priapism had 1 h of detumescence after the constriction band was removed(reperfusion). A ninth group was not treated and received no drug, serving as controls. Corporeal homogenates were then examined for malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, derived from lipid peroxidation, using a thiobarbituric acid assay.

Results

The accumulation of MDA was significantly higher in the groups treated with placebo and undergoing ischaemia/reperfusion compared with the control group (P < 0.001), but was not significantly different between the placebo-treated ischaemic and reperfused groups (P > 0.05). Rats undergoing 6 and 12 h of ischaemia and reperfusion, and receiving allopurinol had significantly less accumulation of MDA compared with those receiving placebo (P < 0.005).

Conclusions

Lipid peroxidation, an indicator of injury induced by reactive oxygen metabolites, occurred in corporeal tissue during and after veno-occlusive priapism in this rat model; when assessed by lipid peroxidation, allopurinol appeared to protect rat corporeal tissue against this injury.

Copyright © 1997 Blackwell Science Ltd.