A Novel Experimental Model of Colorectal Endometriosis

Angiogenic and Inflammatory Alterations of Endometriotic Lesions in a Transgenic Animal Experimental Model With Loss of Expression of PPAR-Alpha Receptors

INTRODUCTION

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been proposed as a medical treatment against endometriosis in preclinical and clinical studies. Their effect seems to be triggered through the suppression of angiogenesis. In the present study, we used a transgenic animal model with a loss of expression of PPAR-alpha receptors to examine their effect on the course of surgically induced endometriotic lesions.

METHODS

Ten C57BL/6 mice that served as controls and 10 B6;129S4-PPARa^{tm1Gonz/J t} transgenic mice characterized by absolute loss of expression of PPAR-alpha receptors were used for induction of endometriosis with a previously described surgical technique.

RESULTS

Five animals (50%) exhibited abundant endometriotic crypts in the control group whereas only one (10%) animal in the transgenic experimental group had a similar pathological image. Neo-vascularization significantly differed among the two groups (p=0.034) favoring the control group as it was extremely limited in half of the PPAR-alpha null animals. The median inflammation score was 2.5 (1-4) in the P B6;129S4-PPARa^tm1Gonz/J group, whereas it was minimal, 1 (0-2), in the C57BL/6 group. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.101). The fibroblastic activity was also very limited in the PPAR-alpha-deficient model, whereas animals belonging to the control group exhibited an intermediate increase of this index (p=0.022).

CONCLUSION

Surgically induced endometriotic implants in animals with loss of expression of PPAR-alpha receptors exhibit significant differences in their pathology compared to lesions induced in control animals. This information suggests that PPAR-alpha receptors have a significant impact on the course of the disease, indicating that they may serve as potential targets for future medical therapies.

The effect of endometriosis on fertility in an animal model

The present experimental model aimed to investigate the possible effect of endometriosis on ovarian function by altering follicular maturation and development. This single-blind, randomized study included twenty-four female Sprague Dawley mice, 2.5 months old, weighing 160-200 grams. The animals were randomly separated into four groups on the day of the surgery. Each group consisted of 6 mice. The first group (A) consisted of healthy female mice (control group). The second group (B) consisted of mice subjected to surgical insertion of ovarian endometrioma. The third group (C) consisted of mice subjected to surgically induced diffuse intraperitoneal endometriosis, and the fourth group (D) consisted of mice subjected to surgically induced extraperitoneal endometriosis. According to our experimental model, endometriosis may affect ovarian function by increasing the number of luteinized unruptured follicles (follicles that have undergone luteinization without prior rupture).

A mouse model of endometriosis that displays vaginal, colon, cutaneous, and bladder sensory comorbidities

Endometriosis is a painful inflammatory disorder affecting ~10% of women of reproductive age. Although chronic pelvic pain (CPP) remains the main symptom of endometriosis patients, adequate treatments for CPP are lacking. Animal models that recapitulate the features and symptoms experienced by women with endometriosis are essential for investigating the etiology of endometriosis, as well as developing new treatments. In this study, we used an autologous mouse model of endometriosis to examine a combination of disease features and symptoms including: a 10 week time course of endometriotic lesion development; the chronic inflammatory environment and development of neuroangiogenesis within lesions; sensory hypersensitivity and altered pain responses to vaginal, colon, bladder, and skin stimulation in conscious animals; and spontaneous animal behavior. We found significant increases in lesion size from week 6 posttransplant. Lesions displayed endometrial glands, stroma, and underwent neuroangiogenesis. Additionally, peritoneal fluid of mice with endometriosis contained known inflammatory mediators and angiogenic factors. Compared to Sham, mice with endometriosis displayed: enhanced sensitivity to pain evoked by (i) vaginal and (ii) colorectal distension, (iii) altered bladder function and increased sensitivity to cutaneous (iv) thermal and (v) mechanical stimuli. The development of endometriosis had no effect on spontaneous behavior. This study describes a comprehensive characterization of a mouse model of endometriosis, recapitulating the clinical features and symptoms experienced by women with endometriosis. Moreover, it delivers the groundwork to investigate the etiology of endometriosis and provides a platform for the development of therapeutical interventions to manage endometriosis-associated CPP.

Establishment of endometriotic models: the past and future

Endometriosis is a prevalent chronic disease that affects approximately 6% to 10% of reproductive-aged women. Although numerous researchers have endeavored to explore the etiology of endometriosis over a century, its etiology still remains an enigma. The exploration of pathophysiologic mechanism and novel therapy for endometriosis depends on ideal endometriotic models. In the previous decade, various endometriotic models have been established; therefore, we made a conclusion for available information on these models. This review summarized the common experimental models used in endometriotic studies, including their origins, characteristics, applications, and limitations. Endometriotic models played an important role in studying etiologies and novel treatments of endometriosis during the last decades. Among them, animal models and endometriotic cell lines were viewed as most common studying tools to explore the intrinsic entities of endometriosis. In addition, endometrial organoid also emerged and was regarded as an ideal studying tool for endometriosis research. Different research models collectively complement each other to advance the endometriosis research. The successful establishment of endometrial organoids means that organoids are expected to become an ideal model for studying endometriosis in the future.

Diagnosis, surgical treatment and postoperative outcomes of hepatic endometriosis: A systematic review

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue and stroma in extra-uterine locations. Hepatic endometriosis (HE) is one of the rarest forms of extrapelvic endometriosis. We aimed to summarize the existing evidence on HE with special consideration to natural history, diagnosis and surgical treatment. Three electronic databases were systematically searched for articles published up to March 2019. All appropriate observational studies and case reports addressing cases of women with HE were considered eligible for inclusion. A total of 27 studies which comprised 32 patients with HE were included. Mean age of patients was 39.7 years. Ten (62.5%) were nulliparous and 24 (75%) were women of reproductive age. Eleven patients (36.7%) had a history of pelvic endometriosis of various sites. Abdominal pain was the primary symptom in 28 patients (87.5%). Preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis was available for 5 patients and 6 underwent a preoperative diagnostic procedure. Cyst resection, minor and major liver resections were performed in 14/31, 9/31 and 8/31 patients, respectively. Preoperative diagnosis of HE is challenging due to variable radiologic features and clinical symptomatology. Nonetheless, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a liver mass especially in premenopausal women with a history of endometriosis. The type of resection of the endometriotic lesion is based on the extent and the location of the disease and presented with favourable outcomes concerning morbidity, symptom relief and recurrence.

Identification of a FAS/FASL haplotype associated with endometriosis in Iranian patients

Risk factors for ovarian cancer include a number of genetic variants as well as endometriosis. The FAS-FASL system is one of the apoptotic pathways that play an essential role in the apoptotic process within the endometrium. Here, we evaluate the correlation between FAS-FASL polymorphisms with the risk of endometriosis in Iranian patients and healthy controls. We extracted DNA from whole blood samples using a DNA Purification Kit. Using the PCR-RFLP method, three SNPs, including FAS (-670 A/G) and FASL (-844 C/T and _124G/A) genes, were genotyped in 112 patients with endometriosis as well as 110 healthy controls. The frequency of genotypes and the alleles of these SNPs were analyzed by the chi-squared test for the significant association. Haplotype analysis was done by the PLINK software. The frequency distribution of haplotypes was significant between SNPs so that the ACG haplotype was more frequent in the cases than in the controls (p = .017). These results indicate that haplotype analysis can be useful for SNP analysis. The ACG haplotypes in FAS-670A/G, FASL-844C/T, and _124G/A genes may be correlated with the progression of endometriosis.

Animal models of endometriosis: Replicating the aetiology and symptoms of the human disorder

Endometriosis is a chronic incurable disorder that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age: associated symptoms include chronic pain and infertility. The aetiology of endometriosis remains poorly understood but patients, clinicians and researchers are all in agreement that new non-surgical therapies are urgently needed to reduce the severity of symptoms. Preclinical testing of drugs requires the development and validation of models that recapitulate the key features of the disorder. In this review we describe the best-validated animal models (primate, rodent, xenograft) and their contributions to our understanding of the factors underpinning the development of symptoms. We consider the evidence that these models have provided the platform for identification of new therapeutic interventions and reflect on future directions for research and drug validation.