Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the functional and structural response of tadalafil effects in the intestinal mucosa, using an experimental model of hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in rats. Methods: The animals were divided into 4 groups: CTL, H/R, H/R+Td and M+Td. The newborn rats allocated in groups H/R, H/R+Td and M+Td were submitted twice a day, to a gas chamber with CO2 at 100% for 10 minutes and afterward reoxygenation with O2 at 98% for 10 minutes, in the three first days of life. Tadalafil dose was given to newborn of group H/R+Td and to the pregnant rat of group M+Td. Histological analysis was made with hematoxylin-eosin technique and oxidative stress through nitrite and nitrate levels and lipid peroxidation. Results: The histological analysis showed a reduction of mucosa alterations in the groups that received tadalafil. In the oxidative stress evaluation, occurred an increase of NO levels and less lipidic peroxidation in the ileum segments that received tadalafil. Conclusion: Tadalafil provides tissue protection when administered independently to both, pregnant or newborns.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a single dose of adriamycin (ADR) to induce anorectal malformations (ARMs) and determine the effect of folic acid (FA) in this model. METHODS: Ten female Wistar rats were divided randomly in two groups. Group A - ADR; Group B - FA+ADR. Dams from group B received daily, since two weeks before the pregnancy to the end of pregnancy, FA (50mg/kg) by gavage. Dams from both groups received ADR (6mk/kg) by intraperitoneal injection on gestational day (GD) 8. Their fetuses were harvested by cesarean section on GD21 and were examined looking for ARMs. The thickness of anal stratified squamous epithelium (ASSE) and intestinal epithelium (IE) were analyzed. p≤0.05*. RESULTS: 81 fetuses were harvested. The number of fetuses; number of ARMs; mean (∆%) (± SD) were determined to be, respectively: ADR - 41[29;65%(±37%)] versus FA+ADR - 40[04;16%(±36%)] (p=0.05). AMRs were significantly lower in FA+ADR group than in ADR group (p=0.05). The thickness (µm) of ASSE (± SD) and IE (± SD) were measured, respectively: ADR - [25.98(±0.74) and 19.48(±1.68)] versus FA+ADR - [24.74(±0.91) and 24.80(±0.81)] (p<0.005). The thickness of IE was significantly enlarged when FA was given (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Single dose of adriamycin on D8 was able to induce anorectal malformations. Folic acid reduces the number and enlarged the IE of ARMs ADR-induced.

PURPOSE: To compare the reconstruction of corpus cavernosum segments when seeded with mesenchymal stem cells and when stem cells are infused intravenously.METHODS: Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were submitted to reconstruction of the corpus cavernosum and distributed in Group A - decellularized matrices, Group B - decellularized matrices seeded with mesenchymal stem cells Group C - decellularized matrices submitted to intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells. The mesenchymal stem cells were obtained by bone marrow aspiration. The venous filling aspect of the distal end of the corpus cavernosum was evaluated and the specimens were submitted to histological analisis and to immunohistochemistry. Cavernosometry was done in one animal of each groupRESULTS: Three animals on B and three animals on C presented full filling of distal end of the corpus cavernosum. No animals in A presented filling of the distal end of corpus cavernosum. At cavernosometry the animal on B attained 50 cmH2O, on C 110 cmH2O and on A 20 cmH2O. Trabeculae forming cavernous sinuses were found in groups B and C.CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of corpus cavernosum using descellularized matrices and mesenchymal stem cells, either by intravenous injection or directly seeded is possible, with growth of corpus cavernosum-like tissue.