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Etanercept causes regression of endometriotic implants in a rat model

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To determine the effects of etanercept (anti-TNF-α) on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental study that was carried out at the Experimental Research Center of Yeditepe University (YUDETAM). Thirty female nonpregnant, nulligravid Wistar-Hannover albino rats were used. The summary of the technique: surgical induction of endometriosis, administration of estrogen for 2 weeks, and laparotomy; administration of etanercept for 2 weeks following the induction of endometriosis and laparotomy; administration of estrogen for 2 weeks and necropsy. The volume and histopathological scores of the endometriotic foci were evaluated.

Results

One-hundred twenty uterine horns were implanted in 30 rats. Endometriosis was completely formatted in 112 lesions (93.3%). No rats were lost. In the etanercept group, the lesions’ volumes were 83.9 ± 13.1, 47.2 ± 8.4, and 96.7 ± 34.8 mm3 at the end of the second week (pretreatment stage), at the end of the fourth week (post-treatment stage), and at the end of the sixth week, respectively (P = 0.007). Histopathologic scores were 2.3 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2, and 1.9 ± 0.1, respectively (P = 0.08). The changes in the other groups were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Etanercept, a fusion protein consisting of human recombinant soluble TNF receptor-2, neutralizes TNF activity. Anti-TNF therapy could be a new non-hormonal therapeutic option for the treatment of endometriosis in humans.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Russell Fraser for checking the English of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest or financial support to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Yeditepe University Hospital, Devlet Yolu, Ankara Cad. No:102-104, Kozyatagi, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey

    Gazi Yildirim, Rukset Attar, Cem Ficicioglu, Ates Karateke & Narter Yesildaglar

  2. Department of Pathology, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ferda Ozkan

Authors
  1. Gazi Yildirim
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  2. Rukset Attar
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  3. Cem Ficicioglu
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  4. Ates Karateke
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  5. Ferda Ozkan
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  6. Narter Yesildaglar
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Correspondence to Gazi Yildirim.

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Yildirim, G., Attar, R., Ficicioglu, C. et al. Etanercept causes regression of endometriotic implants in a rat model. Arch Gynecol Obstet 283, 1297–1302 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1543-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1543-9

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