Comparing protective effect of grape seed extract versus atorvastatin on endometriosis in rat model: Evidence for immunohistochemical and biochemical alterations

Thirty six Wistar albino rats with implant induced endometriosis were randomly divided into six groups of six animals each. The rats in the first group received nothing and were euthanized at day 21. In the second group, rats received nothing and were euthanized at day 36. The third group received atorvastatin (ATV; 5 mg kg-1 per day, orally) until 21 days from induction of endometriosis, and the fourth group received ATV from the 15th day after induction of endometriosis for 21 days. The fifth group received grape seed extract (GET; 450 mg kg-1 per day, orally) until 21 days from induction of endometriosis. In the sixth group, GET was administered from the 15th day after induction of endometriosis for 21 days. The estrogen receptor positive cells (ER+) distribution and angiogenesis were assessed using immunohistochemical and immunoflourescent analyzes, respectively. The active cells with intracytoplasmic carbohydrate content were analyzed. Erα mRNA expression was assessed using semiquantitative real time-PCR and the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated. The GET and ATV-treated animals showed significant reduction in endometriosis-increased ER+ cells distribution as well as significant decrease in Erα mRNA levels (p < 0.05). Our data suggests that GET exerts a potent inhibitory effect on development of endometriotic implants similar to ATV.