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

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.