Sildenafil (Viagra) protective effects on neuroinflammation: the role of iNOS/NO system in an inflammatory demyelination model

Mediators Inflamm. 2013:2013:321460. doi: 10.1155/2013/321460. Epub 2013 Jul 22.

Abstract

We recently demonstrated that sildenafil reduces the expression of cytokines, COX-2, and GFAP in a demyelinating model induced in wild-type (WT) mice. Herein, the understandings of the neuroprotective effect of sildenafil and the mediation of iNOS/NO system on inflammatory demyelination induced by cuprizone were investigated. The cerebella of iNOS(-/-) mice were examined after four weeks of treatment with cuprizone alone or combined with sildenafil. Cuprizone increased GFAP, Iba-1, TNF- α , COX-2, IL-1 β , and IFN- γ expression, decreased expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTpi), and damaged myelin in iNOS(-/-) mice. Sildenafil reduced Iba-1, IFN- γ , and IL-1 β levels but had no effect on the expression of GFAP, TNF- α , and COX-2 compared to the cuprizone group. Sildenafil elevated GSTpi levels and improved the myelin structure/ultrastructure. iNOS(-/-) mice suffered from severe inflammation following treatment with cuprizone, while WT mice had milder inflammation, as found in the previous study. It is possible that inflammatory regulation through iNOS-feedback is absent in iNOS(-/-) mice, making them more susceptible to inflammation. Sildenafil has at least a partial anti-inflammatory effect through iNOS inhibition, as its effect on iNOS(-/-) mice was limited. Further studies are required to explain the underlying mechanism of the sildenafil effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cuprizone / toxicity
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Demyelinating Diseases / genetics
  • Demyelinating Diseases / metabolism*
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi / metabolism
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Myelin Sheath / chemistry*
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Nitric Oxide / chemistry*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism*
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Piperazines / pharmacology*
  • Purines / pharmacology
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Sulfones
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Cuprizone
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nos2 protein, mouse
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi
  • Cyclic GMP