The effects of Rituximab on experimental endometriosis model in rats.

AIM: Endometriosis is a common, chronic benign gynecologic disease and distresses women in their reproductive age. Yet the pathogenesis of endometriosis is not clear, multifactorial mechanisms have been characterized for the initiation, progression, and regression of this disease. It has been suggested that immune cells in the lymphoid lineage play essential roles in accepting or rejecting the survival, implantation, and proliferation of endometrial and endometriotic cells and, dysfunction of B-lymphocytes (B-cells) are one of the major causes for the progression of endometriosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic efficacy of Rituximab, an inhibitor for B-cells, for endometriosis in an experimental animal model. METHODS: Experimental endometriosis animal model has been utilized using mature female rats. Rats underwent surgery to initiate endometriosis on the abdominal wall. After confirming for endometriosis, rats were treated with either Rituximab or saline solution. After 14 days of treatment, implants were dissected, and evaluated for volumes and histological features. Anti-CD-20 antibody was used for immunohistochemistry scoring purposes. RESULTS: There is significant decrease in the volume of endometriotic implants after treatment with Rituximab (188.81 ± 149.42 vs 20.37 ± 13.08, p = 0.001). There are also significant differences for the B-cell count and fibrosis score between the control and treatment groups (3.08 ± 2.6 vs 1.56 ± 1.42., p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: In an experimental rat endometriosis model, we assessed Rituximab, an antibody for B-lymphocyte, as a candidate medical treatment for endometriosis. Additional studies are required to further evaluate the effects of Rituximab on the prevention of endometriosis.

Zofenopril attenuates injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion on rat ovary.

AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of zofenopril in an experimental model of ovarian torsion in rats with histologic and biochemical assessments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experimental procedures were performed on 35 female rats (Wistar albino). Rats were randomly divided into five groups as: sham (sham operated, n = 7); vehicle group 1 (torsion-detorsion, n = 7) with 2 h ischemia and 2 h reperfusion; vehicle group 2 (torsion-detorsion, n = 7) with 2 h ischemia and 5 days' reperfusion; zofenopril group 1 (torsion-detorsion, n = 7) with 2 h ischemia, 2 h reperfusion and a signal dose of oral 15 mg/kg zofenopril; and zofenopril group 2 (torsion-detorsion, n = 7) with 2 h ischemia, 5 days' reperfusion and 5 days' oral 15 mg/kg zofenopril. A scoring of histopathologic evaluation was performed on the ovaries according to congestion, bleeding, edema, and cellular degeneration. Biochemical assessments included catalase, tissue malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl. RESULTS: Compared with the vehicle groups, histopathologic scores, tissue malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels, which reflect oxidative stress markers, were significantly lower in the zofenopril groups. Furthermore, catalase levels were significantly increased in the zofenopril group. CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed that zofenopril attenuates injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion on rat ovary.

Protective effect of colchicine on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficiency of colchicine in the experimental rat ovarian torsion model in the light of histological and biochemical data. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 35 Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, group 1: (control-sham operated, n = 7); group 2: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7) 2 hours of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion; group 3: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7), 2 hours of ischemia and 5 days of reperfusion; group 4: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7) 2 hours of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion and a signal dose of oral 1 mL/kg colchicine; and group 5: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7), 2 hours of ischemia and 5 days of reperfusion and 5 days of oral 1 mg/kg colchicine. Histopathologic evaluation was performed by a scoring that assesses congestion, bleeding, edema, and cellular degeneration in the ovarian tissue. Catalase, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl levels were calculated. RESULTS: The histopathologic scores, MDA, and protein carbonyl levels in the control and colchicine groups were significantly lower than groups 2 and 3 (P < .001). Catalase activities were significantly higher in the control and colchicine groups than in groups 2 and 3 (P < .001). The results of the histopathologic parameters and biochemical markers showed that protective effects of colchicine treatment persisted up to 5 days. CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed that colchicine reduced ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in experimental rat ovarian torsion model. As the ovarian detorsion is the first choice of the treatment modality in the early phase, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatment modalities like colchicine might be used to reduce ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Isolated hydatid cyst of uterine cervix: A case report.

Hydatid disease is an endemic infection which can affect any organ, mainly the liver and lungs. Peritoneal echinococcosis is usually known to occur secondary to hepatic hydatid cyst rupture into the peritoneal cavity. An isolated cyst in the pelvic cavity is considered as primary only when there are no other hydatid cysts. Herein, we report an isolated pelvic-cervical hydatid cyst which presented without any involvement of the other abdominal organs or lungs. Our patient, a 27-year-old woman with the primary complaints of dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain, had thin-walled large cystic mass originating from the cervix, diagnosed by ultrasonography. She underwent surgery with the most likely initial diagnosis of exophytic fibroid with cystic degeneration. Gynecologists should be aware of the possibility of isolated primary hydatid cyst of the pelvic cavity and should consider this condition in the differential diagnosis of cystic pelvic masses, especially in areas where the disease is endemic.