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    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Jun 5;104(23):9834-9. Epub 2007 May 22.

    Sildenafil accelerates reentrainment of circadian rhythms after advancing light schedules.

    Agostino PV, Plano SA, Golombek DA.

    Laboratorio de Cronobiología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, 1876 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Mammalian circadian rhythms are generated by a master clock located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and entrained by light-activated signaling pathways. In hamsters, the mechanism responsible for light-induced phase advances involves the activation of guanylyl cyclase, cGMP and its related kinase (PKG). It is not completely known whether interference with this pathway affects entrainment of the clock, including adaptation to changing light schedules. Here we report that cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase 5 is present in the hamster suprachiasmatic nuclei, and administration of the inhibitor sildenafil (3.5 mg/kg, i.p.) enhances circadian responses to light and decreases the amount of time necessary for reentrainment after phase advances of the light-dark cycle. These results suggest that sildenafil may be useful for treatment of circadian adaptation to environmental changes, including transmeridian eastbound flight schedules.

    PMID: 17519328 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

    PMCID: 1887561

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    • Sildenafil (Revatio®, Viagra®)

      Sildenafil (Viagra) is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. Sildenafil (Revatio) is used to improve the ability to exercise in people with pulmonary arterial hypert...