The effects of ranibizumab on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model: a preliminary study.

Objective: To examine the effect of ranibizumab on surgically induced endometriosis in rat models.

Study Design: Endometrial tissue was implanted onto the abdominal peritoneum of 20 rats that were randomized into 2 groups. The rats in group 1 (n = 9) were given 0.6 mg/kg ranibizumab on the 1st and 14th days after the second operation. The rats in group 2 (control group, n = 9) received no medication. All the rats were observed for a total of 28 days.

Results: At the end of the treatment, the mean volume and weight of the explants in group 1 (11.49 ± 6.87 mm(3) and 36.61 ± 17.84 mg) were significantly lower than that of the control group (190.6 ± 177.4 mm(3) and 187.3 ± 174.5 mg; both Ps < .01). Mean epithelial histologic scores were significantly lower in group 1 (1.11 ± 0.78) than that of the control group (2.33 ± 0.71; P < .01). When compared with the control group, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoreactivities in group 1 showed statistically significant reductions (1.67 ± 0.50; 2.67 ± 0.50; P < .01).

Conclusion: Ranibizumab has significantly regressed the size of the endometriotic implants and caused atrophy of these lesions in rats by decreasing explant levels of VEGF.