The effects of letrozole and melatonin on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model: a preliminary study

Yildirim G, Gazi Yildirim, Gazi Yıldırım, Rükset Attar, Rukset Attar, Ferda Özkan, Ferda Ozkan, Banu Kumbak, Kumbak B, Cem Fıçıcıoğlu, Ficicioglu C, Cem Ficicioglu, Narter Yesildaglar, Yesildaglar N, Narter Yeşildağlar
Fertility and sterility · 2009 · vol. 93(6) , pp. 1787–1792 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.09.021 · PMID:19878935 · W2124044819
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This study investigated the effects of letrozole and melatonin on surgically induced endometriosis in rats, comparing their impact on the condition.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of letrozole and melatonin on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat endometriosis model.DesignProspective, randomized, controlled, experimental study.SettingExperimental Research Center of Yeditepe University (YUDETAM).Animal(s)Thirty female, nonpregnant, nulligravid Wistar-Hannover albino rats.Intervention(s)Surgical induction of endometriosis, administration of estrogen for 2 weeks, and laparotomy; administration of letrozole or melatonin for 2 weeks after induction of endometriosis, and laparotomy; administration of estrogen for 2 weeks and necropsy.Main outcome measure(s)The volume and histopathologic scores of endometriotic foci, and levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde in the peritoneal fluid.Result(s)The mean volumes of the endometriotic foci were 99.6 +/- 18.8 mm(3), 21.5 +/- 7.4 mm(3), and 29.2 +/- 17.5 mm(3), and histopathologic scores were 2.5 +/- 0.7, 2.0 +/- 0.8, and 1.7 +/- 0.9 in the melatonin group at the end of the second, fourth, and sixth weeks, respectively. The mean volumes of the endometriotic foci were 75.9 +/- 26.3 mm(3), 29.8 +/- 14.7 mm(3), and 121.2 +/- 35.1 mm(3) and the histopathologic scores were 2.5 +/- 0.5, 2.2 +/- 0.8, and 2.7 +/- 0.4 in the letrozole group at the end of the second, fourth, and sixth weeks, respectively. In the melatonin group, peritoneal fluid superoxide dismutase and catalase levels increased statistically significantly.Conclusion(s)Melatonin caused more pronounced regression of endometriotic foci when compared with letrozole in a rat model. After the cessation of melatonin treatment, the recurrence rate was lower than that observed after the cessation of letrozole treatment.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Gynecologic Surgical Procedures Gynecologic Surgical Procedures Melatonin Nitriles Triazoles Uterine Diseases Algorithms Animals Antineoplastic Agents Antineoplastic Agents Antineoplastic Agents Antioxidants Antioxidants Antioxidants Drug Evaluation, Preclinical Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female

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