Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma induces regression of endometrial explants in a rat model of endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of a thiazolidinedione, ciglitazone, in a rat model of endometriosis.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Experimental surgery laboratory in a university department.


METHODS
Twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats given endometriotic lesions by transplanting autologous uterine tissue to ectopic sites on the peritoneum.


METHODS
Four weeks after surgery, 20 rats were randomly divided into two groups and treated with IP injections of vehicle every other day (control; n = 10) or ciglitazone (1 mg per rat; n = 10) and euthanized 4 weeks from the start of treatment.


METHODS
At the end of treatment, laparotomy was performed to photograph each explant and then they were measured and weighed. Histologic analysis was performed on the uterine allograft, ovary, and eutopic uterine tissue.


RESULTS
By histologic assessment, both groups maintained folliculogenesis and normal eutopic endometrial architecture. Treatment with ciglitazone significantly decreased the size of ectopic uterine tissues and the mean explant wet weight. The ciglitazone-treated group showed marked epithelial regression compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that a PPAR-gamma ligand, ciglitazone, reduced the size of experimental endometriosis in the rat model of endometriosis. This animal model suggests that a thiazolidinedione drug may be helpful in women with endometriosis.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0276, USA. lebovic@umich.edu
Dan I
DI
Lebovic
Mustafa
M
Kir
Colleen L
CL
Casey
D000818:Animals; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology
D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; C039671:ciglitazone