Evaluation of the efficacy of a danazol-loaded intrauterine contraceptive device on adenomyosis in an ICR mouse model.
BACKGROUND
Danazol, a synthetic steroid with antigonadotrophic properties, has been widely used for the treatment of endometriosis and adenomyosis. However, the local application of danazol to the uterus to treat adenomyosis is controversial. The objective of this study is to develop an effective treatment for adenomyosis using danazol via intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) delivery.


METHODS
An adenomyosis animal model was established using Institute for Cancer Research, Swiss-derived (ICR) mice, grafted with a single pituitary gland (n = 30). Four months after grafting, IUCDs with three different quantities of danazol were prepared and used to treat the ICR mice with adenomyosis. After 2 months of treatment with a danazol-loaded IUCD, the number of adenomyosis nodules and the hematoxylin-eosin staining scores were measured and compared with mice given daily oral danazol and controls (no adenomyosis).


RESULTS
As the danazol dose increased, the nodule number decreased reaching significance at a dose of 2.0 mg per 20 g body weight (P = 0.002). When compared with oral administration, the plasma danazol concentrations with IUCD delivery were low and stable.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that an IUCD loaded with an appropriate dose of danazol may be an effective treatment for adenomyosis and that human trials are warranted.
Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, People's Republic of China. xinmei6@yahoo.com
Xinmei
X
Zhang
Hong
H
Yuan
Lin
L
Deng
Fuqiang
F
Hu
Junyan
J
Ma
Jun
J
Lin
D000818:Animals; D003613:Danazol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D003613:Danazol