The phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil has no effect on cerebral blood flow or blood velocity, but nevertheless induces headache in healthy subjects

TY - JOUR

T1 - The phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil has no effect on cerebral blood flow or blood velocity, but nevertheless induces headache in healthy subjects

AU - Kruuse, Christina

AU - Thomsen, Lars Lykke

AU - Jacobsen, Torsten Bjørn

AU - Olesen, Jes

PY - 2002/9

Y1 - 2002/9

N2 - Cyclic nucleotides are important hemodynamic regulators in many tissues. Glyceryl trinitrate markedly dilates large cerebral arteries and increases cGMP. Here, the authors study the effect of sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of cGMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase 5 on cerebral hemodynamics and headache induction. Ten healthy subjects were included in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study where placebo or sildenafil 100 mg (highest therapeutic dose) were administered on two separate days. Blood velocity in the middle cerebral artery (Vmca) was recorded by transcranial Doppler, and regional cerebral blood flow in the perfusion area of the middle cerebral artery (rCBFmca) was measured using single photon emission computed tomography and xenon inhalation. Radial and temporal artery diameters were studied using high-frequency ultrasound. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded repeatedly. Headache responses and tenderness of pericranial muscles were scored verbally. Sildenafil caused no significant changes in rCBFmca, Vmca, or in temporal or radial artery diameter, but heart rate increased and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly compared to placebo. Despite the lack of cerebral arterial dilatation, sildenafil caused significantly more headache than placebo. The present results show that sildenafil 100 mg does not dilate cerebral or extracerebral arteries but nevertheless causes headache, which may be attributed to nonvascular mechanisms.

AB - Cyclic nucleotides are important hemodynamic regulators in many tissues. Glyceryl trinitrate markedly dilates large cerebral arteries and increases cGMP. Here, the authors study the effect of sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of cGMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase 5 on cerebral hemodynamics and headache induction. Ten healthy subjects were included in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study where placebo or sildenafil 100 mg (highest therapeutic dose) were administered on two separate days. Blood velocity in the middle cerebral artery (Vmca) was recorded by transcranial Doppler, and regional cerebral blood flow in the perfusion area of the middle cerebral artery (rCBFmca) was measured using single photon emission computed tomography and xenon inhalation. Radial and temporal artery diameters were studied using high-frequency ultrasound. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded repeatedly. Headache responses and tenderness of pericranial muscles were scored verbally. Sildenafil caused no significant changes in rCBFmca, Vmca, or in temporal or radial artery diameter, but heart rate increased and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly compared to placebo. Despite the lack of cerebral arterial dilatation, sildenafil caused significantly more headache than placebo. The present results show that sildenafil 100 mg does not dilate cerebral or extracerebral arteries but nevertheless causes headache, which may be attributed to nonvascular mechanisms.

KW - 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases

KW - Adult

KW - Brain

KW - Cerebral Arteries

KW - Cerebrovascular Circulation

KW - Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5

KW - Double-Blind Method

KW - Female

KW - Headache

KW - Hemodynamics

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Muscle, Skeletal

KW - Pain

KW - Papaverine

KW - Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

KW - Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases

KW - Piperazines

KW - Purines

KW - Reference Values

KW - Sulfones

KW - Time Factors

KW - Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

KW - Vasodilator Agents

U2 - 10.1097/00004647-200209000-00010

DO - 10.1097/00004647-200209000-00010

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 12218418

SN - 0271-678X

VL - 22

SP - 1124

EP - 1131

JO - Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism

JF - Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism

IS - 9

ER -