Oral eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation as possible therapy for endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) compared with n-6 linoleic acid (LA) in an endometriosis rat model. We focused on the relationship between lipid metabolism and inflammatory reactions in endometriosis based on the hypothesis that a lipid intake imbalance is one of the factors responsible for the recent increase of endometriosis.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized experimental study.


METHODS
Animal surgery laboratory in a university hospital.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats (female, 6 weeks old).


METHODS
Rats were fed a diet with EPA (n = 9) or with LA (n = 9) for 2 weeks. Two weeks after feeding, the uterus was autotransplanted to the peritoneum to construct an endometriosis model. Feeding was continued for a total of 6 weeks. Two and 4 weeks after autotransplantation, three rats of each group were killed and evaluated.


METHODS
Endometriotic lesions were morphologically evaluated and their fatty acid composition was examined. Gene expression in these tissues was evaluated by cDNA microarray analysis and quantative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
In the EPA group, the n-3:n-6 ratio in each tissue significantly increased and the thickening of the interstitium, an active site for inflammation in endometriosis, was significantly suppressed (0.30 +/- 0.09 mm [EPA group] vs. 0.77 +/- 0.23 mm [LA group]). The mRNA of metalloproteinases, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-1r, prostaglandin E synthase (Ptges), and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB were reduced in the EPA group.


CONCLUSIONS
EPA supplementation might be a valid strategy for the treatment of endometriosis.
Department of Gynecology, Jichi Medical University Sitama Medical Center, Omiya, Saitama, Japan.
Sachiho
S
Netsu
Ryo
R
Konno
Kohei
K
Odagiri
Masaaki
M
Soma
Hiroyuki
H
Fujiwara
Mitsuaki
M
Suzuki
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D019787:Linoleic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid