High-dose atorvastatin causes regression of endometriotic implants: a rat model.
BACKGROUND
This prospective randomized-controlled animal study was designed to determine the effects of atorvastatin on experimentally induced endometriosis in a rat model.


METHODS
Thirty-seven Wistar-Albino rats in which endometriotic implants were induced were randomly divided into four groups. Group I (Low-dose atorvastatin group, eight rats) were given 0.5 mg kg(-1) day(-1) oral atorvastatin. Group II (High-dose atorvastatin group, 10 rats) were given 2.5 mg kg(-1) day(-1) oral atorvastatin. Group III were given a single dose of 1 mg kg(-1) s.c. leuprolide acetate (GnRH agonist group, nine rats). Group IV were given no medication and served as controls (10 rats). All rats received the treatment for 21 days and were then euthanized to assess the implants' size, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in peritoneal fluid and histological score.


RESULTS
At the end of the treatment, the mean areas of implants were smaller and VEGF levels in peritoneal fluid were lower in Groups II and III than those in Group I and the control group (all P < 0.05). The mean areas of implants decreased from 41.2 +/- 13.9 to 22.7 +/- 13.9 mm(2) after medication in Group II and decreased from 41.2 +/- 18.1 to 13.1 +/- 13.8 mm(2) in Group III (both P < 0.05), whereas in Group I, the mean area increased from 43.0 +/- 12.7 to 50.5 +/- 13.9 mm(2) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose atorvastatin caused a significant regression of endometriotic implants.
Oktem
Mesut
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. mesutoktem@hotmail.com
Esinler
Ibrahim
I
Eroglu
Derya
D
Haberal
Nihan
N
Bayraktar
Nilufer
N
Zeyneloglu
Hulusi B
HB
D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis
D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D016729:Leuprolide