Local application of danazol-loaded hyaluronic acid hydrogel to endometriosis in a rat model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a drug delivery system composed of danazol-loaded hyaluronic acid for local application to endometriosis.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
Academic research unit of the department of obstetrics and gynecology in a university hospital.


METHODS
Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats.


METHODS
Danazol-loaded hyaluronic acid hydrogel (DZ-HA gel) was injected into the rat endometriosis model.


METHODS
Size and histological changes in experimental endometriosis, the concentration of danazol in the cyst wall and plasma, and estrous cycles were examined.


RESULTS
Histologically, DZ-HA gel-treated cysts displayed marked atrophy of the endometrial epithelium. Increased numbers of apoptotic cells and decreased numbers of proliferative cells were noted with 10 mg/mL DZ-HA gel. Size of treated cysts decreased to approximately 60% at 9 weeks after injection. The estrous cycles were not disturbed during DZ-HA gel treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Local injection of DZ-HA gel achieved endometrial atrophy of an experimental model of endometriosis without disturbing the sexual cycle. These results suggest that local application of DZ using this drug delivery system may prove useful for treating endometriosis.
Nomura
Kazuhito
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan. kazzy@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Murakami
Koichi
K
Shozu
Makio
M
Nakama
Tsuyoshi
T
Yui
Nobuhiko
N
Inoue
Masaki
M
D000818:Animals; D003613:Danazol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004337:Drug Carriers; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D020100:Hydrogels; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003613:Danazol