Abstract:
Purpose The current study investigated the potential
therapeutic efficiency of atosiban, an oxytocin receptor
antagonist, in an experimental endometriosis model.
Methods Endometriosis was surgically induced in 35
female rats during estrus. Four weeks after this procedure,
relaparotomy was performed. The viability and dimensions
of the endometriosis foci were recorded. Rats were then
randomly divided into three groups. In the first group
(n = 8), a daily dose of 0.2 ml 0.9 % NaCl was injected
intraperitoneally (i.p.) (control cases). In the second and
third groups (n = 8 and n = 8), 0.5 mg/kg/day i.p. atosiban
and 1 mg/day i.p. diltiazem were given, respectively.
At the end of the treatment, laparotomy was performed,
and the dimensions of the endometriosis foci were recorded.
The endometrial implants were processed for histological
and immunohistochemical studies. The volumes of endometriotic implants were measured, and immunohistochemical
analyses were performed, and compared between
the groups.
Results After the treatment with atosiban, volumes of
endometriotic implants decreased significantly. Proliferating
cell nuclear antigen expression levels were significantly
reduced in the atosiban and diltiazem groups compared
with the control group.
Conclusions In a rat endometriosis model, atosiban, an
agent used for the first time for the medical treatment of
endometriosis, has shown significant therapeutic efficiency.
