Chronic Administration of Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) on the Frontal Cortex of Adult Male Rats: An Ultrastructural Study

Abstract

Objectives: Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) is widely used as an aphrodisiac drug and for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The present study was planned to study the morphological changes that might occur in the frontal cortex of the adult rat in response to chronic intake of Viagra and discover whether these changes are reversible or irreversible. Material and Methods: Forty adult male rats were used where they were classified into three groups: A control group (10 rats), B experimental treated group (20 rats), and C recovery group (10 rats). The treated and recovery groups received therapeutic dose of Viagra for 30 days. The control and the treated group were sacrificed at the first day after the designated period (30 days), the recovery group was sacrificed two weeks after the end of experiment. Results: The pyramidal cell neurons are little in number; some of them are atrophic, degenerated. Their cytoplasm showed varied degree of cellular degenerative changes with vaculation of their myelinated axons. Pyramidal neurons of recovery animals showed nearly complete recovery. Conclusion: Chronic intake of Viagra produced reversible morphological changes in pyramidal neurons of the frontal cortex of adult male rats.