Effect of Urolithin A and B on ectopic endometrial growth in a murine model of endometriosis

MC CORMACK, BÁRBARA; OLIVARES, CARLA NOEMÍ; MADANES, DANIELA; RICCI, ANALÍA GABRIELA; BILOTAS, MARIELA ANDREA; BARAÑAO, ROSA INÉS

Food & Function

Royal Society of Chemistry

Año: 2021 vol. 12 p. 9894 - 9903

2042-6496

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Urolithins A (UA) and B (UB) on the implantation and growth of endometriotic-like lesions in a murine model of endometriosis.Design: Prospective experimental study.Setting: Animal research and laboratory facility.Animal(s): Two-month-old female BALB/c mice.Intervention(s): Female BALB/C mice were surgically induced with endometriosis and treated with UA or UB. Mice were monitored daily, weighed and the estrous stage was determined. After 4 weeks of treatment, lesions were counted, measured, excised, and fixed.Main Outcome Measure(s): Estrous cycle by vaginal smear method. Counting and measuring of endometriotic-like lesions. Cell proliferation by Immuno-histochemical examination for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Apoptosis using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Result(s): Both urolithins proved to have no effect on the estrous cycle or body weight of mice. UA completely inhibited the growth of endometriotic-like lesions; while UB statistically significantly reduced the mean number of lesions established per mouse and diminished the implant volume. In addition, cell proliferation within the implants was statistically significantly reduced and apoptosis enhanced by UB treatment.Conclusion(s): These results are promising and reveal that urolithins A and B, separately, have a beneficial effect on overall endometriotic growth without affecting the body weight or estrous cycle; especially the UA which completely avoided the development of lesions.