Effects of a protein kinase C inhibitor on the initial development of ectopic implants in a syngeneic mouse model of endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of protein kinase C inhibition on surgically induced endometriosis in mice. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Academic facility. ANIMALS: Sixty adult female C57BJ6 mice. INTERVENTION(S): On day -7, oral gavage of a vehicle alone or of a protein kinase C inhibitor (100 mg/kg/day, once a day) was started and continued for 1 week in donor groups A and B, respectively. On day 0, uterine fragments from donor group A were implanted into recipient mice. Recipient mice were divided randomly into two groups: group 1 (vehicle) and group 2 (protein kinase C inhibitor). Uterine fragments from donor group B were implanted into recipient mice, and they were divided randomly into two groups: group 3 (vehicle) and group 4 (protein kinase C inhibitor). Oral gavage of a protein kinase C inhibitor (100 mg/kg/day, once a day) or vehicle was continued for 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Presence and number of ectopic implants. RESULT(S): The number of mice that developed ectopic implants was significantly lower in groups 3 (40%) and 4 (30%) than in group 1 (100%). The number of ectopic implants was significantly lower in groups 2, 3, and 4 than in group 1. CONCLUSION(S): Protein kinase C inhibitor use partially prevented the development of ectopic implants in a mouse model of endometriosis.