Effect of pentoxifylline in reducing oxidative stress-induced embryotoxicity.
OBJECTIVE
To 1) evaluate the embryotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide on mouse embryo development and 2) examine if pentoxifylline can reverse hydrogen peroxide induced embryotoxicity.


METHODS
Prospective in vitro study examining the effects of varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and pentoxifylline on the blastocyst development rate alone as well as in combination.


RESULTS
A dose-dependent decrease in % BDR was seen with increasing concentrations of H2O2. High concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (> 60 microM) were embryotoxic. Pentoxifylline (500 microM) was able to reduce the embryotoxic effect of hydrogen peroxide. Percent blastocyst development rate increased from 44% in hydrogen peroxide alone to 85% in hydrogen peroxide and pentoxifylline coincubation.


CONCLUSIONS
Pentoxifylline may be beneficial in reducing hydrogen peroxide induced embryo damage and improve IVF outcome. Patients with endometriosis-associated infertility may benefit from the use of pentoxifylline without significantly affecting embryo development.
Zhang
Xiaoyan
X
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility and Sexual Function, Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Sharma
Rakesh K
RK
Agarwal
Ashok
A
Falcone
Tommaso
T
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010431:Pentoxifylline