title: Effect of melatonin on intra-abdominal fat in correlation with endometrial proliferation in ovariectomized rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the context of endometrial cancer, visceral obesity as a risk factor is associated with a chronic inflammatory process, confirmed by an increase in inflammatory marker levels. Blood melatonin levels are inversely correlated with the tumor proliferation index in patients with endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was the experimental exploration of the effects of melatonin and melatonin associated with estrogen on metabolic changes, intraperitoneal fat and endometrial proliferation in female rats with surgically induced menopause.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study included 50 rats. At 14 days post-ovariectomy, the animals were exposed to estrogen replacement treatment and combined treatment of estrogen and melatonin. The duration of the administered treatment, with products and doses recommended for veterinary use, was 12 consecutive weeks. The endometrial thickness was ultrasonographically assessed. For statistical analysis, Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney test, in the case of the non-parametric distribution, were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups receiving estrogen associated with melatonin had a lower body weight (222.20±3.34 g vs. 232.50±3.44 g, p<0.001), less intra-retroperitoneal fat (4.97±0.94 g vs. 7.93±0.64 g, p<0.001), and lower endometrial proliferation (0.122±0.010 vs. 0.133±0.009 p=0.04), compared to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of melatonin to estrogen replacement treatment is associated with a decrease in endometrial proliferation and prevents the appearance of cellular atypia. The presented results suggest that melatonin supplementation may play an important role in the prophylaxis of endometrial cancer in menopause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology II, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Răzvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciortea
authors.forename: Nicolae
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Costin
authors.forename: Ioana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Braicu
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haragâş
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hudacsko
authors.forename: Cosmina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bondor
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mihu
authors.forename: Carmen Mihaela
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mihu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000187:drug effects*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D008550:Melatonin