Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is now recognized as one of the most common diseases in reproductive-age women. Metformin, a well-known frontline oral antidiabetic drug, has been found effective in numerous different diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of metformin on reducing adhesions in an animal model of IUA. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups: sham operation, control, metformin-treated for 7 days, and metformin-treated for 14 days. To establish the IUA model, mechanical injury to the endometria of rats was induced with a mini curette. Metformin was injected intraperitoneally after surgery. A significant amelioration in both the number of glands and the fibrotic area, compared to those of the control group, was detected 14 days after metformin intervention. The expression levels of antigen KI-67 and vascular endothelial growth factor were increased at 7 and 14 days after treatment. However, the transforming growth factor-β expression was decreased at 14 days after treatment. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-related apoptosis proteins (glucose-regulated protein 78, caspase-12, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (EBP) homologous protein) were downregulated after metformin treatment. Moreover, we determined that the effect of metformin was related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis via the Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Protein kinase B (AKT) and Extracellular regulated protein kinases1/2 pathways. In conclusion, metformin can attenuate the adhesion and promote the regeneration of the endometrium of the IUA rat, and metformin may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for IUA patients.
Keywords: apoptosis; endometrial regeneration; endoplasmic reticulum stress; intrauterine adhesions; metformin.