Etanercept causes regression of endometriotic implants in a rat model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of etanercept (anti-TNF-α) on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model.


METHODS
This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental study that was carried out at the Experimental Research Center of Yeditepe University (YUDETAM). Thirty female nonpregnant, nulligravid Wistar-Hannover albino rats were used. The summary of the technique: surgical induction of endometriosis, administration of estrogen for 2 weeks, and laparotomy; administration of etanercept for 2 weeks following the induction of endometriosis and laparotomy; administration of estrogen for 2 weeks and necropsy. The volume and histopathological scores of the endometriotic foci were evaluated.


RESULTS
One-hundred twenty uterine horns were implanted in 30 rats. Endometriosis was completely formatted in 112 lesions (93.3%). No rats were lost. In the etanercept group, the lesions' volumes were 83.9 ± 13.1, 47.2 ± 8.4, and 96.7 ± 34.8 mm(3) at the end of the second week (pretreatment stage), at the end of the fourth week (post-treatment stage), and at the end of the sixth week, respectively (P = 0.007). Histopathologic scores were 2.3 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2, and 1.9 ± 0.1, respectively (P = 0.08). The changes in the other groups were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Etanercept, a fusion protein consisting of human recombinant soluble TNF receptor-2, neutralizes TNF activity. Anti-TNF therapy could be a new non-hormonal therapeutic option for the treatment of endometriosis in humans.
Yildirim
Gazi
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Yeditepe University Hospital, Devlet Yolu, Ankara Cad. No:102-104, Kozyatagi, 34752 Istanbul, Turkey. gaziyildirim@gmail.com
Attar
Rukset
R
Ficicioglu
Cem
C
Karateke
Ates
A
Ozkan
Ferda
F
Yesildaglar
Narter
N
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology*; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D016378:Tissue Transplantation; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept