Protective Effect of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Experimental Endometriosis Induced Rat Model

Abstract

Background: Considering the presence of an inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, anti-inflammatory agents could be an alternative option. The study aimed to elucidate the curative efficacy of Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on the experimental rat model of endometriosis. Methods: This experimental research included a total of 60 mature female Wistar albino rats (250 ± 50 g) with no pregnancy. They were grouped as Standard (n: 20), Laparoscopic Pretreatment (n: 10), Laparoscopic Posttreatment (Sham) (n: 10), UDCA-Pretreatment (n: 10) and UDCA-Posttreatment (n: 10). Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metallo-proteinases-2 (MMP-2), Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were analyzed. Results: In the UDCA post-treatment group, endometriotic focal volume (43.3 ± 24.04 mm3) was lower than the pre-treatment values (165.7 ± 21.7 mm3) (p = 0.005). There was no significant change UDCA group before and after the treatment in terms of MMP-2, TGF-β1, TIMP-1 and TNF-α levels (p > 0.05). Comparing the posttreatment values of the Sham srugery group and the UDCA group, while the endometriotic focal volume was 251 ± 51 mm3 in the Sham group, it decreased to 43.3 ± 24 mm3 in the UDCA (p < 0.0001). Histological scoring decreased from 2.6 ± 0.51 to 1 ± 0.81 after the treatment (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The pre-treatment laparotomy group exhibited elevated TNF-α levels, indicating an inflammatory response. UDCA treatment reduced endometriotic focal volume and histological scoring, indicating a potential therapeutic benefit.

Keywords

• endometriosis
• ursodeoxycholic acid
• metalloproteinase
• tumor necrosis factor-α