Potential PDE5 inhibitors in liver cirrhosis

From: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/9/69 Conclusion PDE-5 inhibitors at low doses have distinct effects on liver hemodynamics. Portal flow and parenchymal flow increase without enhancement of portal pressure in normal rat liver. The compromised NO-bioavailability in the cirrhotic liver leads to a constriction of the sinusoids, which contributes to the functional component of portal hypertension. It may be anticipated that this effect can be reversed by application of PDE-5 inhibitors.