The effect of antiangiogenic agent aflibercept on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model El efecto del agente antiangiogénico aflibercept sobre la endometriosis inducida quirúrgicamente en un modelo de rata

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Ates Ç., Dilbaz B., Ergani S. Y., Atabay F.

Cirugia y Cirujanos (English Edition), vol.92, no.1, pp.10-19, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 92 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.24875/ciru.23000072
  • Journal Name: Cirugia y Cirujanos (English Edition)
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.10-19
  • Keywords: Aflibercept, Angiogenesis, Endometriosis, Leuprolide acetate, Vascular endothelial growth factor
  • Yozgat Bozok University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to show for the first time how aflibercept affects endometriosis lesions. Material and methods: Surgically induced endometriosis in Wistar albino female rats. Rats with endometriosis were randomly divided into three groups: control (Co), aflibercept (Af), and leuprolide acetate (Le). Then, Af, aflibercept, and Le received leuprolide acetate. The control group was not treated. The weights and changes in intra-abdominal adhesions of the rats before and after treatment were recorded according to the Blauer adhesion score. Blood extracted for sacrifice was analyzed. Endometriotic lesions were evaluated for size, volume, histology, and immunohistochemistry (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and CD31). Significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. Results: Aflibercept significantly reduced endometrial implant volume (p = 0.002). The explant epithelial histological score showed a significant difference between aflibercept and leuprolide acetate (p = 0.006) and between aflibercept and control groups (p = 0.002). Aflibercept decreased VEGF-H and CD31 expression (p = 0.001) more than leuprolide acetate. Aflibercept improved adhesions (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Aflibercept is more successful than leuprolide acetate in the treatment of endometriosis.