The effect of intraurethral heparin on inflammation and spongiofibrosis in a rat model of experimentally induced urethral trauma

Abstract

To determine the effect of heparin administered during the early post urethral trauma period on inflammation and spongiofibrosis in rats. The study included 24 male rats that were randomized into 3 groups of 8 each. The urethra was traumatized using a 24-G needle sheath in all rats. Group 1 (control group) received intraurethral saline 0.9% injected b.i.d. for 27 days, group 2 received intraurethral Na-heparin (liquemine-Roche) 1500 IU kg-1 injected b.i.d. for 27 days, and group 3 received intraurethral Na-heparin 1500 IU kg-1 injected b.i.d and saline 0.9% s.i.d. for 27 days. On day 28 the rats' penises were degloved and penectomy was performed. Inflammation, spongiofibrosis, and congestion in the urethra were investigated in each group. A statistically significant difference was found between the three groups (control, heparin, and heparin + saline) in the histopathological status of spongiofibrosis, inflammation, and congestion, respectively (P = 0.0001, P = 0.002, P = 0.0001). Severe spongiofibrosis was observed in six (75%) of the rats in group 1 (control group), whereas severe spongiofibrosis was not observed in group 2 (heparin) or group 3 (heparin + saline). We observed that intraurethral Na-heparin 1500 IU kg-1 injectioned during the early posturethral trauma period in rats significantly decreased inflammation, spongiofibrosis, and congestion.