The inhibitory effects of vascular endothelial growth factor antisense gene on experimental endometriosis in rats

Objective To investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antisense ODNs can prevent endometrial implantation in a rat model. Methods 32 rats models of surgically induced endometriosis were averagely divided into 4 groups (A, B, C, D group). The rats were treated with2 000 μmol/100 μl VEGF antisense, sense, missense ODNs or saline 100 μl by injection into the abdomen respectively every 2 days for 4 weeks. the rats were killed at 2 weeks after the therapy was finished. The rate of transplantation inhibition was calculated by the formula (1 — V2/V1) × 100%. Vaginal cytology smears were examined everyday to determine the rats' estrus cycle, endometrium transplant, normal endometrium and ovary were resected for histological examination, and serum E2, P level were detected by radioimmunoassay method. Results Transplants volum of VEGF antisense ODNs treated rats (A group)was diminuted significantly compared with other 3 groups (P<0. 01), the rate of transplantation inhibition of VEGF antisense ODNs group (A group) was much higher than other 3 groups (P<0. 01). Transplants of VEGF antisense ODNs treated rats (A group) showed marked regression of both epithelial and stromal components, epithelium developed poorly, lamina propria was thinner with much fewer stromal cells and glands. The ovary function and the structure of the normal endometrium were not affected by VEGF antisense ODNs, nearly all rats showed normal estrus cycle, no significant difference of serum E2, P level was found among 4 groups. Conclusion VEGF antisense ODNs could inhibit the growth and induce the regression of explants in a rat endometriosis model without affecting the ovary function. Key words: endometriosis; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); antisense ODNs; rat