Endometriosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Endometriosis, including details on causes, treatment, symptoms, infertility.

Regression of endometrial explants in a rat model of endometriosis treated with melatonin.

Güney M, Oral B, Karahan N, Mungan T

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. mguney@med.sdu.edu.tr

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of melatonin on endometrial explants, the distribution of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the rat endometriosis model. DESIGN: Prospective, placebo-controlled experimental study. SETTING: Experimental surgery laboratory in a university department. ANIMAL(S): Twenty-five rats with experimentally induced endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Endometriosis was surgically induced in 25 rats by transplanting an autologous fragment of endometrial tissue onto the inner surface of the abdominal wall. Four weeks later, three rats were killed and the remaining 22 rats given second-look laparotomies to identify and measure ectopic uterine tissue in three dimensions. After the second laparotomy, 4 weeks of vehicle and melatonin treatment were administered, then all of the rats were given a third laparotomy and killed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The volume and weight of the implants were measured. The remaining rats were randomly divided into two groups. In control group (group 1; n = 11) no medication was given. To the rats in melatonin-treated group (group 2; n = 11), 10 mg/kg a day of melatonin was administered intraperitoneally. Four weeks later, after the second laparotomy, the endometrial explants were reevaluated morphologically, and COX-2 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically and histologically. In addition, endometrial explants were analyzed for the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation. A scoring system was used to evaluate expression of COX-2 and preservation of epithelia. RESULT(S): The pretreatment and posttreatment volumes within the control group were 135.9 +/- 31.5 and 129.4 +/- 28.7, respectively. The mean explant volume was 141.4 +/- 34.4 within the melatonin group before the treatment and 42.9 +/- 14.0 after 4 weeks of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in spherical volumes (129.4 +/- 28.7 versus 42.9 +/- 14.0 mm(3)) of explant weights (155.8 +/- 27.1 versus 49.6 +/- 19.5 mg) and COX-2 positivity (91% versus 18.1%) between groups after the third laparotomy. In the melatonin-treated group, the endometrial explant levels of MDA statistically significantly decreased and activities of SOD and CAT significantly increased when compared with the control group. The epithelia showed statistically significantly better preservation in the control group when compared with the melatonin-treated group (2.54 +/- 0.52 versus 0.63 +/- 0.50). CONCLUSION(S): Melatonin causes regression and atrophy of the endometriotic lesions in rats.

Published 14 April 2008 in Fertil Steril, 89(4): 934-42.
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Articles on Endometriosis published 14 April 2008:

Ovarian endometrioma: postoperative adhesions following bipolar coagulation and suture.   Fertil Steril, 89(4): 796-9.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bipolar coagulation and suturing of the ovary in terms of postoperative ovarian adhesions after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for endometriosis. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Naples "Federico II." PATIENT(S): Thirty-two women with a single endometriotic cyst were randomly divided into two groups of 16 women each (groups A and B). INTERVENTION(S): All patients underwent ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Obturator hernia as a cause of recurrent pain in a patient with previously diagnosed endometriosis.   Fertil Steril, 89(4): 962-3.

Recurrent chronic pelvic pain should prompt physicians to reassess the patient. The threshold to perform laparoscopy, and to consider and surgically treat all potential disease associated with pain, even non-gynecologic etiologies, should be low, especially in those whose pain is focal or unresponsive to hormone therapy. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Association between PTPN22 and endometriosis.   Fertil Steril, 89(4): 993-4.

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Successful management of a massive hemorrhage due to rupture of cystic cervical endometriosis by a loop electrosurgical excision procedure.   Fertil Steril, 89(4): 991.e13-5.

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A detailed morphologic and immunohistochemical comparison of pre- and postmenopausal endometriosis.   J Clin Pathol, 61(4): 455-9.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis depends on oestrogenic stimulation for its continued growth, accounting for its prevalence during reproductive years. There is doubt among clinicians regarding its existence in postmenopausal women in the absence of exogenous or endogenous sex hormones. We postulated that endometriosis occurring in postmenopausal women would show a different morphologic and immunohistochemical profile to the disease occurring in premenopausal women. METHODS: We reviewed the most recent ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Endometriosis published 17 March 2008:

Case report: A case of polypoid endometriosis: MR pathological correlation.   Br J Radiol, 81(964): e118-9.

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Transvaginal ultrasonography combined with water-contrast in the rectum in the diagnosis of rectovaginal endometriosis infiltrating the bowel.   Fertil Steril, 89(3): 699-700.

This prospective study evaluated the efficacy of transvaginal ultrasonography combined with water-contrast in the rectum (RWC-TVS) in the diagnosis of rectal infiltration in 35 women with rectovaginal endometriosis; ultrasonographic findings were compared with surgery and histology. The sensitivity of RWC-TVS in identifying rectal infiltration reaching at least the muscular layer was 100%, the specificity was 85.7%, the positive predictive value was 91.3%, and the negative predictive value was ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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