Re-evaluation of mouse models of endometriosis for pathological and immunological research

Research progress in rodent models of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common and frequent disease in gynecology; its etiology and pathogenesis are partially understood and still not clear. The construction of suitable animal models is beneficial for basic research related to the disease. Currently, rodents have the advantages of low cost, fast reproduction, easy rearing, and a similar endometrial structure to humans. Depending on the purpose of the experiment, different molding methods have their advantages. In this paper, we describe the traditional methods of constructing endometriosis rodent models, compare their advantages and disadvantages, and introduce newly developed rodent models, such as cell line injection models, pain models, genetically engineered mouse models, fluorescent tracer models, iron overload models, chemical induction models, and methods of constructing rodent models of different subtypes of endometriosis. Fertility and treatment of endometriosis rodent models are also described. This study provides a reference for researchers in the selection of animal models for pathogenesis and drug treatment studies.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiangiogenic, and therapeutic efficacy of neroli oil in rats with endometriotic lesions

INTRODUCTION

Endometriosis is a serious health problem among women of reproductive age, with pelvic pain and infertility. Given the limited success of current treatments, this study explores Neroli oil (N.O.) effects on inflammation, oxidation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling implicated in endometriosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Albino Wistar female rats were used to simulate an endometriosis model. Groups were established for comparison: a control, an endometriosis model, a N.O.-treated group, and a N.O.-treated group postendometriosis induction. The study focused on Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6, Interleukin 8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), myeloperoxidase, Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and anti-mullerian hormone values, as well as histopathological evaluations of endometriotic foci.

RESULTS

AMH values showed a significant increase in the endometriosis group treated with N.O. compared with the endometriosis group (p < 0,01).A statistically significant decrease was found in MMP-1 level in the endometriosis group that underwent N.O. (p < 0.001). Increased CAT (p < 0.0001) and decrease in nitric oxide (p < 0.01) are found in N.O.-treated endometriosis group. TNF-α levels in the endometriosis group showed a statistically significant increase in the endometriosis group when compared with the control and sham group (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively). In our study, a statistically significant increase was observed in VEGF levels (p < 0.001) in endometriosis group and significant decrease in the N.O. administered endometriosis model group. Groups treated with N.O. showed decreased inflammation and congestion scores. Histopathological assessments demonstrated reduced inflammation and tissue remodeling signs in endometriotic foci.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential of N.O. in the treatment of endometriosis, owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic properties that can disrupt chronic processes. Our findings lend support to utilization of herbal remedies for the management of endometriosis, thereby emphasizing the necessity for additional comprehensive investigations in the future.

Bushen Wenyang Huayu Decoction inhibits autophagy by regulating the SIRT1-FoXO-1 pathway in endometriosis rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bushen Wenyang Huayu Decoction (BWHD) is a traditional Chinese medicine for tonifying kidney and warming Yang, thereby resolving blood stasis and relieving pain. BWHD can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with endometriosis (EMs), but its mechanism is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We evaluated the expression and role of the SIRT1-FoxO-1 pathway and autophagy levels in EMs rats. The therapeutic effects and potential therapeutic mechanisms of BWHD were also investigated.

METHODS

Twenty rats were randomized into the sham group and eighty rats were used for model establishment by autologous transplantation. After successful modeling, they were randomized into the model, BWHD, EX527+BWHD and EX527 groups, with 20 rats in each group. All rats were intragastrically administered with for 3 weeks. Localization of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), Forkhead boxO-1 (FoXO-1), Beclin-1, autophagy-related 5 (Atg5) and autophagy-related 7 (Atg7) was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of the above proteins was determined by Western blot and their messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were detected by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

The protein and mRNA expressions of FoXO-1, Beclin-1, Atg5 and Atg7 in the model group were markedly increased, while that of SIRT1 was markedly decreased relative to the sham group (p < 0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Results showed that the protein and mRNA expressions of FoXO-1, Beclin-1, Atg5 and Atg7 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of BWHD group were lower, while SIRT1 expression was higher than in the model group (p < 0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, protein and mRNA expression levels of FoXO-1, Beclin-1, Atg5 and Atg7 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of EX527 group were higher, while SIRT1 level was significantly lower than in the model group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The EX527-induced changes in protein and mRNA expressions were reversed in the EX527+BWHD group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

BWHD inhibits autophagy by up-regulating SIRT1 and down-regulating FoXO-1 expression in EMs via the SIRT1-FoXO-1 signaling pathway. Therefore, it is a potential treatment for EMs.