Regression of endometrial explants in rats treated with the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor rofecoxib on endometrial explants and on peritoneal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the rat endometriosis model.


METHODS
Prospective, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Laboratory at Dokuz Eylül University.


METHODS
Twenty-six rats with experimentally induced endometriosis.


METHODS
Rats were treated for 3 weeks with oral rofecoxib (3 mg/kg per day; n = 9); single subcutaneous injection of depot leuprolide acetate (1 mg/kg; n = 9); or vehicle (control; n = 8).


METHODS
Change in explant area and histologic examination by semiquantitative analysis of endometriotic explants and measurement of peritoneal VEGF levels.


RESULTS
Three weeks of treatment with rofecoxib statistically significantly decreased the implant size (62.4%) compared with control (16.6%), and this effect was comparable with the decrease in leuprolide (64.3%). Histologic examination of the explants indicated mostly atrophy and regression in treatment groups, and semiquantitative analysis showed statistically significantly lower scores in rats treated with rofecoxib and leuprolide compared with controls. Both rofecoxib and leuprolide statistically significantly decreased VEGF levels compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Rofecoxib causes regression and atrophy of the endometriotic lesions and is as effective as a GnRH agonist with an accompanying decrease in the VEGF levels.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
Erbil
E
Dogan
Uğur
U
Saygili
Cemal
C
Posaci
Burcin
B
Tuna
Sezer
S
Caliskan
Sabahattin
S
Altunyurt
Bahadir
B
Saatli
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D001284:Atrophy; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013450:Sulfones; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C116926:rofecoxib; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide