title: Effect of dienogest administration on angiogenesis and hemodynamics in a rat endometrial autograft model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to establish an endometrial autograft model in rats that would allow for repetitive in vivo analyses of angiogenesis. Dienogest (DNG) is an orally active progestin used for the treatment of endometriosis. We investigated whether DNG would affect angiogenesis of the ectopic endometrium in our model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mechanically isolated endometrial fragments were transplanted into dorsal skinfold chambers in rats. We analyzed the effect of DNG on angiogenesis of the ectopic endometrium on Days 0, 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 after transplantation using intravital fluorescence microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The DNG-administered group showed significant suppression of angiogenesis of endometrial autografts, as indicated by the reduced size of the microvascular network and decreased microvessel density compared with those of control animals. The newly formed microvessels of the DNG-administered group showed consistently elevated diameters and centerline red blood cell velocity was decreased. Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant reduction in the level of perivascular α-smooth muscle actin within endometrial grafts of the DNG-administered group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DNG inhibited angiogenesis of the ectopic endometrium, with confirmed structural changes in the microvessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Shitsukawa Toon, Ehime, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Tomihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uematsu
authors.forename: Mie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiratsuka
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiyomura
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Atsuro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sugita
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004715:Endometriosis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: C023635:dienogest; D009277:Nandrolone