Effect of resveratrol on the induction of endometriosis in a rat model

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol which has anti-angiogenic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.We aimed to assess the effect of resveratrol in a rat endometriosis model. DESIGN: Prospective randomized animal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endometriosis was induced surgically in 24 rats.3 weeks after the initial surgery, the rats underwent laparotomy to determine the size of endometrial implants. Two rats died during the procedures. The remaining rats were randomized into three groups. Group I (Resveratrol group, seven rats) was given 60 mg/kg/d resveratrol via orogastric tube. Group II (GnRH agonist group, eight rats) was given a single dose of 1 mg/kg s.c. leuprolide acetate. Group III served as control group (seven rats). All rats received the treatment for 21 days. After treatments, the rats were euthanized and a third laparotomy was performed and the surface areas of the implants were calculated. Also before and after medications, peritoneal fluids were collected to measure VEGF and MCP-1 levels. The implants were then excised and examined histopathologically. RESULTS: All rats developed similar areas of implants at the second laparotomy. After treatment, the mean areas of implants were smaller in the resveratrol and leuprolide acetate groups than those in the control group. The mean areas of implants decreased from 44.1 ± 5 to 7.1 ± 2.9 mm2 in the resveratrol group (P <.05). The mean histopathological score of the implants at the end of the treatment was lower in the resveratrol group when compared with the control group (1.2 ± 1.2 vs. 2.5 ± 0.5, P <.05). Peritoneal level of VEGF decreased significantly in resveratrol group after treatment (from 80.9 ± 15.9 to 31.3 ± 30.4, P <.05).MCP-1 peritoneal level decreased significantly in resveratrol group after treatment (from 2.6 ± 1.8 to 2 ± 2, P <.05). CONCLUSION: Resveratrol caused regression of endometriosis in a rat model. Resveratrol may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of endometriosis in the future.