Lipoxin A4 inhibits the development of endometriosis in mice: the role of anti-inflammation and anti-angiogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic roles of LXA4 on endometriosis in mice.


METHODS
Endometriosis was induced in 40 mice and separated into two groups. LXA4 group was administered by LXA4 for 3 weeks. The endometriotic lesions were counted, measured, and identified by pathology. The presence of a panel of pro-inflammatory factors was assessed by real-time RT-PCR, and enzyme-linked immunoassay, the mRNA, protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry; the activity of MMPs was evaluated by gelatin zymography.


RESULTS
Treatment with LXA4 significantly inhibited endometriotic lesion development (13.58 ± 4.01 mm(2) in LXA4 group and 23.20 ± 7.49 mm(2) , P = 0.0002), downregulated pro-inflammatory factors, suppressed the activity of MMP9, and reduced the VEGF levels associated with endometriosis in mice.


CONCLUSIONS
LXA4 may inhibit the progression of endometriosis possibly by anti-inflammation and anti-angiogenesis.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, China.
Zhangye
Z
Xu
Feng
F
Zhao
Feng
F
Lin
Jinxia
J
Chen
Yingping
Y
Huang
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D044045:Lipoxins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000276:immunology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D044045:Lipoxins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C040527:lipoxin A4; C467480:vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C501830:Mmp9 protein, mouse