The Use of Halofuginone in Limiting Urethral Stricture Formation and Recurrence: An Experimental Study in Rabbits

ABSTRACTPurpose: We developed a reproducible animal model for the induction of urethral stricture in the rabbit and evaluated the role of halofuginone in limiting stricture formation.Materials and Methods: A total of 20 New Zealand male rabbits were used in the first phase of the experiment. Bulbar urethral stricture was induced by electrocoagulation. The animals were then randomly assigned to 2 groups of 10 each, which received a diet containing halofuginone or a normal diet. In the second phase electrocoagulation induced stricture was treated with visual internal urethrotomy in 45 rabbits. These rabbits were randomly assigned to 2 groups, namely a halofuginone and a control group.Results: In the first phase stricture developed in 2 study rabbits (20%) vs 10 controls (100%). In the second phase 37 rabbits were evaluable (8 died). Recurrent stricture was observed in 5 of the 18 study rabbits (27%) vs 14 of the 19 controls (73%).Conclusions: Halofuginone is effective in limiting the occurrence of de novo u...