Effect of the bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells transplantation in the growth, VEGF-R and TNF-alpha expression of endometrial implants in Wistar rats

ObjectiveTo study the effect of bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells transplantation in the growth, VEGF-R and TNF-alpha expression of surgically induced endometriosis in an experimental model.Study designThis is an experimental study conducted in the Center for Health and Biological Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Brazil. Endometriotic implants were surgically induced in 120 female Wistar rats. The animals with viable endometrial implant (larger than 25 mm2) were randomically divided into 3 groups to receive an intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 cc of saline solution (C group; n = 30), a subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg of leuprolide (L group; n = 34), or an intraperitoneal injection of 5 × 106 bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells (SC group; n = 36). They were sacrificed after 21 days to assess the implants’ size and the tissue expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).ResultsTreatment with leuprolide decreased the surface area of the endometriotic implant compared to the SC group and the C group. The absolute reduction in the surface area of the implant was 16.5 mm, 0 mm, and 0 mm (p = 0.007), respectively, and the percent reduction was 40.2%, 0%, and 0% (p = 0.001). VEGF-R expression in the endometriotic implant decreased after treatment in the L and SC groups compared to the C group (409.6 μm2 vs. 465 μm2 vs. 920.9 μm2, respectively; p = 0.021). TNF-alpha expression also reduced in the L and SC groups compared to the C group (585.7 μm2 vs. 549.3 μm2 vs. 2402.1 μm2, respectively; p < 0.001).ConclusionBone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells transplantation decreased the expression of VEGF-R and TNF-alpha in the endometriotic implant but did not reduce the surface area of the lesion.