title: Protective effects of colchicine in an experimental rat endometriosis model: histopathological evaluation and assessment of TNF-α levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory disease observed in reproductive period. The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of colchicine, widely used to treat many inflammatory diseases, in an experimental rat endometriosis model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental endometriosis was constituted with implantation of autogenous endometrial tissue. Rats were divided randomly into 2 groups as colchicine group (n = 8) and control group (n =8). Although oral 0.1 mg/kg colchicine was administered 4 weeks to the colchicine group, the same amount of saline solution was administered to the control group. Before and after 30 days of treatment period, peritoneal and tissue tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), the volumes and histopathological properties of the implants were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the implant volume decreased significantly in the colchicine group (89.2 ± 13.4 mm(3) to 35.2 ± 4.5 mm(3), P < .05), the implant volume increased in the control group (85.1 ± 14.2 mm3 to 110.3 ± 10.5 mm(3), P < .05). When compared to the control group, the colchicine group had significantly lower histopathologic sores (1.4 ± 0.2 vs 2.6 ± 0.4, P < .001). Although peritoneal fluid TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in the colchicine group (45.2 ± 5.3 pg/mL vs 12.1 ± 5.2 pg/mL, P < .001), the peritoneal fluid TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the control group after the treatment (44.2 ± 3.5 pg/mL vs 61.3 ± 12.2 pg/mL; P < .001). Tissue TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the colchicine group when compared to the control group (45.4 ± 8.6 pg/mL vs 71.3 ± 11.2 pg/mL; P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colchicine resulted in regression of endometrial implant volumes in experimental rat endometriosis model and decreased peritoneal and tissue TNF-α levels.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mustafa Kemal University Medical School, Hatay, Turkey drraziyekeskinkurt@yahoo.com.
authors: Raziye Keskin
authors: RK
authors: Kurt
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Mustafa Kemal University Medical School, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Neslihan
authors: N
authors: Pinar
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mustafa Kemal University Medical School, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Atilla
authors: A
authors: Karateke
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mustafa Kemal University Medical School, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Ayşe Güler
authors: AG
authors: Okyay
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mustafa Kemal University Medical School, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Dilek Benk
authors: DB
authors: Silfeler
authors: Department of Pathology, Dışkapı Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Aynur
authors: A
authors: Albayrak
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Dışkapı Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Seyda
authors: S
authors: Özdemir
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mustafa Kemal University Medical School, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Ali Ulvi
authors: AU
authors: Hakverdi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003078:Colchicine
keywords: TNF- α; colchicine; endometriosis; inflammation