The effect of pentoxifylline on the growth of endometrial implants and\nleukocytes in rats.

Background: Immune system disturbances have an important role in\nendometriosis which may lead to infertility. It seems that inflammatory\ncytokines specially tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) which were\nproduced by activated macrophages have an important role in pathology\nof endometriosis. Based on this theory, anti TNF-a drugs like\npentoxifylline (PX) are suggested as new drugs for Endometriosis.\nObjective: This experimental study has been done on female rats to\ndetermine the effect of PX on the endometrial implants and leukocytes\nin serum. Material and Methods: In proestrous phase, one horn of rat's\nbicorn uterus was removed surgically and the endometrium was implanted\nto different places as follows: subcutaneous, peritoneum and near\novaries. After two months observation, female rats divided into two\ngroups randomly. In treated group (n=10) PX (5mg/kg twice a day) and in\ncontrol group (n=10), normal saline (same dose) were injected\nsubcutaneously. Then, via second laparotomy and in the same phase of\nthe cycles, the size of implants and the amount of leukocytes in serum\nwere measured. Results: In treated group compared with control, the\nsize of implants was decreased significantly in right subcutaneous\n(8.05mm vs 13.50mm) p<0.01, left subcutaneous (7.64 mm vs 14mm)\np<0.01, right ovary (6.64 mm vs 15.22mm) p<0.001 and left ovary\n(7.18 mm vs 14.56 mm) p<0.005. In treated group, the total leukocyte\ncount (5259.54 ± 178.78 vs 15833.33 ± 259.27) p<0.02 was\ndecreased. The number of esterous cycle was similar in both groups.\nConclusion: PX can reduce the size of endometrial implants as well as\nleukocyte count.