Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic efficiency of resveratrol in the treatment of experimental endometriosis in rats.
Settings and design: Experimental study was carried out in a University hospital.
Materials and methods: Endometriosis was surgically induced in 24 female rats. Four weeks after this procedure, the viability and dimensions of the endometriosis foci were recorded. Rats were then randomly divided into three groups: (1) Control group (n = 8); (2) low dose (10 mg/kg) resveratrol group (n = 8); (3) high dose (100 mg/kg) resveratrol group (n = 8). At the end of the 7-day treatment, blood samples were taken and laparotomy was performed. The endometrial implants were processed for biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical studies.
Statistical analysis used: The Kruskal-Wallis H test and one-way ANOVA test were used.
Results: Resveratrol-treated rats showed significantly reduced endometriotic implant volumes (P = 0.004). After treatment, a significant and dose-dependent increase in activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in serum and tissue of the rats in Group 2 and Group 3 was detected. Similarly, serum and tissue malonyl dialdehyde levels and tissue catalase levels were significantly higher in Group 3 than that of control animals. Histological scores and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression levels were also significantly reduced in Group 2 and Group 3 than that of control group.
Conclusion: In a rat endometriosis model, resveratrol showed potential ameliorative effects on endometriotic implants probably due to its potent antioxidative properties.