The effectiveness of antioxidant therapy (vitamin C) in an experimentally induced mouse model of ovarian endometriosis

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the therapeutic effect of vitamin C on the development of endometrial lesions and fecundity disorders in the ovarian induction model of mouse endometriosis. Methods: Ovarian endometriosis was surgically induced in 14 NMRI female mice (treatment group, N = 7) and (control group, N = 7). Three days after the second surgery (to assess endometriotic implant), the mice were randomized into two intervention groups: control (placebo) and treatment (50 mg/kg vitamin C every two days orally for four weeks) groups. In the oestrus phase, the mice were sacrificed. In macroscopic assessment, endometriotic implants were evaluated in size, volume, weight, growth score and adhesion score. The microscopic assessment examined the ovarian tissue (the number of antral follicles, corpus luteum and atretic follicles) and endometriotic lesion (histologic and trichrome fibrosis scores). Results: Post-treatment implant volume, growth score, adhesion extent score and adhesion severity score were significantly lower in the treatment group (vitamin C) in comparison with the control group (placebo) (p < 0.0001). The difference between the median weight of endometriotic implants, epithelialization of implant tissue, trichrome fibrosis scores and follicle number in the two groups (treatment and control) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Atretic follicles were significantly decreased after vitamin C therapy (p < 0.05). Although the numbers of corpus luteum seemed to be more preserved in specimens from the control group, there was no statistical significance between the two groups’ histological scores. Conclusion: As a result, we may imply that vitamin C has a significant effect on reducing the induction and growth of endometrial implants, improving the fecundity function of ovaries, and consequently prevention of endometriosis-associated cancers. Further research is needed to improve targeted interventions resulting in the prevention and treatment of human endometriosis.

How Can Selected Dietary Ingredients Influence the Development and Progression of Endometriosis?

“…However, increasing evidence from animal studies indicates the inhibitory effect of vitamin C supplementation on lesions associated with endometriosis [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. In such experiments, investigators used various parameters to describe the appearance of ectopic endometrial tissue, such as the size, volume, and mass of the lesions, as well as various assessments related to associated adhesions, assessment of fibrosis, and the condition of the mucosa associated with the lesion epithelium.…”

“…In such experiments, investigators used various parameters to describe the appearance of ectopic endometrial tissue, such as the size, volume, and mass of the lesions, as well as various assessments related to associated adhesions, assessment of fibrosis, and the condition of the mucosa associated with the lesion epithelium. Although all authors consistently observed the inhibitory effect of vitamin C, which was reflected in a decrease in the above-mentioned parameters describing the lesions, the only parameter in all the analyzed studies that underwent significant changes in the groups supplemented with vitamin C was the volume of lesions [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

The Role of Selected Dietary Factors in the Development and Course of Endometriosis

“…Hoorsan et al [ 115 ], based on their findings in mice, concluded that vitamin C could improve ovarian function and reduce the induction and growth of endometrial grafts. Similar conclusions were reached in a study on rats.…”

I Am the 1 in 10—What Should I Eat? A Research Review of Nutrition in Endometriosis

“…Hoorsan et al, in their experiment on mice, suggested that vitamin C has considerable importance for improving the fecundity function of ovaries and reducing the induction and growth of endometrial implants [44].…”