SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of patients with endometriosis before and after surgical treatment. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, and prospective study was conducted with 102 women with pelvic pain and endometriosis that was unimproved by clinical treatment and indicated for surgical treatment. The patients’ quality of life was assessed using the 30-item Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30) questionnaire before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. The statistical tests were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17.0, and the Friedman test was used. RESULTS: There was a reduction in EHP-30 scores 3 and 6 months after surgery compared to before surgery, as well as 6 months after surgery compared to 3 months after surgery, in the central questionnaire (PART 1) and in Sections A, B, C, E, and F (p<0.0001). For Section D, there was a reduction in scores 6 months after surgery compared to before surgery (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of endometriosis improves quality of life in several areas assessed by the EHP-30 questionnaire.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of hypertonic glucose (10%), alone or in combination with the corticoid dexamethasone, to prevent peritoneal adhesion following hysterectomy in rats. Methods Forty-two adult rats underwent hysterectomy with peritoneal lavage: G1 – glucose (10%); G2 – glucose (10%) and dexamethasone 3 mg·kg–1; and G3 – physiological saline (PS) 0.9%. Results In the macroscopic analysis after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 1, G2 of 1, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001), G3 compared to G1 and G2. There was no difference between groups after 28 days. In the microscopic analysis, the median vascular proliferation after 14 days was 2 for G1, 1 for G2, and 3 for G3 (p = 0.0037, G3 vs. G1 and G2). After 28 days, G1 showed a median vascular proliferation score of 2, G2 of 2.5, and G3 of 3 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. G1 and G2). Regarding the inflammatory reaction after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 2, G2 of 1, and G3 of 3 (p = 0.7916). After 28 days, G1 had a median score of 0.5 (0–1.75), G2 of 1.5, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. the others and G2 vs. G1). In the evaluation of fibrosis after 14 days, G1 had a median score of 1, G2 of 1, and G3 of 2.5 (p < 0.0001, G3 vs. G1and G2). After 28 days, G1 had a median fibrosis score of 1, G2: 2, and G3: 2.5 (p < 0.0001), G3 vs. the others andG2 vs. G1). Conclusions The use of hypertonic glucose (10%) solution seems to reduce macroscopic and microscopic pelvic adhesions.

OBJETIVO: Avaliação histológica do útero e parênquima ovariano de ratas com endometriose induzida tratadas com extrato de Uncaria tomentosa. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 29 ratas com endometriose experimental e formados três grupos: O grupo uncaria recebeu extrato de Uncaria tomentosa com 32mg/ml, administrado 1ml ao dia e o grupo placebo recebeu 1ml de solução salina a 0,9%, ambos por 14 dias; o grupo leuprolida recebeu acetato de leuprolida 1mg/kg de peso corporal aplicado via subcutânea dose única. No 15° dia de tratamento realizou-se retirada de corno uterino e ovários para análise histopatológica. RESULTADOS: O grupo uncaria apresentou nove amostras (90%) com maturação incompleta dos folículos ovarianos, já o grupo placebo não apresentou nenhum caso e no grupo leuprolida houve oito ratas (88%) com a mesma alteração. O grupo placebo apresentou corpo lúteo maduro em todos os animais, acontecendo de forma menos freqüente nos grupos uncaria (10%) e leuprolida (22%). O epitélio uterino se mostrou fracamente proliferativo em nove (90%) das amostras do grupo unacaria, em dois (20%) casos do grupo placebo e sete (77.8%) casos no grupo leuprolida. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados sugerem que a Uncaria tomentosa tem efeito anticoncepcional.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the histological changes in parenchyma´s epithelial layer of the uterus and ovarian of rats with induced endometriosis, treated with Uncaria tomentosa extract. METHODS: 29 rats with experimental endometriosis, were selected and divided in three groups: The uncaria group received 32mg/ml of Uncaria tomentosa extract, 1ml administered daily and the placebo group received 1ml of saline 0.9% per day, during for 14 days (both groups); the leuprolide group received leuprolide acetate 1mg/kg body weight applied single subcutaneous dose. In the 15th day of treatment the uterine horn and ovaries were removed for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: The uncaria group presented nine samples (90%) with immature ovarian follicles, whereas the placebo group did not present any case and in the leuprolide group there were eight rats (88%) with the same change. The placebo group showed mature corpus luteum in all animals, occurring less frequent in uncaria (10%) and leuprolide (22%) groups. The uterine epithelium showed weak proliferative in nine (90%) samples of the uncaria group, in two (20%) animals in the placebo group and seven (77.8%) rats in the leuprolide group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that Uncaria tomentosa has contraceptive effect.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as mudanças que ocorreram em ratas com endometrioses experimental tratadas com óleo de copaíba. MÉTODOS: Foi induzida a endometriose experimental nas ratas. O grupo experimental recebeu óleo de copaíba (Copaiferalangsdorffii) oralmente (0,63mg/dia) e o grupo controle recebeu oralmente solução salina 0,9% (1mL/100g/dia). Ambos grupos foram tratados por gavagem por 14 dias. Depois desse período, foi realizada a eutanásia dos animais e calculado o volume do implante. Os transplantes autólogos foram removidos, corados com Hematoxilina-eosina e realizada a microscopia óptica. RESULTADOS: A média final dos volumes foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos (p=0,007). Houve um aumente significante (p=0,12) entre o volume inicial e final do grupo controle, enquanto no grupo tratado com Copaiferalangsdorffii causou uma redução acentuada no crescimento endometrial ao longo durante o período (p=0,016). Histologicamente,6 das 11 (55%) ratas do grupo experimental tinha uma camada epitelial bem preservada e 3 (45%) apresentaram epitélio levemente preservado. O grupo controle apresentou sete casos (58,3%) de células epiteliais bem preservadas e cinco casos (41,7%) de células epiteliais levemente preservadas (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O óleo de copaíba (Copaiferalangsdorffii) parece ser um tratamento alternativo promissor para endometriose.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the changes that occur in rats with experimental endometriosis after treatment with copaiba oil. METHODS: Experimental endometriosis was induced in rats. The experimental group received copaiba oil (Copaiferalangsdorffii) orally (0.63 mg/day), and the control group received a 0.9% sodium chloride solution orally (1 ml/100 g of body weight/day). Both groups were treated with gavage for 14 days. After this period, the animals were euthanized, and the implant volume was calculated. The autologous transplants were removed, dyed with hematoxylin-eosin, and analyzed by light microscopy. RESULTS: The average final volumes were significantly different between the groups (p=0.007). There was a significant increase (p=0.012) between the initial and final volumes in the control group, whereas treatment with Copaiferalangsdorffii caused a marked reduction in endometrial growth over time (p=0.016). Histologically, 6/11 (55.00%) rats in the experimental group had a well-preserved epithelial layer, and 3 (45.00%) had mildly preserved epithelium. The control group had seven cases (58.30%) of well-preserved epithelial cells and five cases (41.70%) of mildly preserved epithelial cells (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Copaiba oil (Copaiferalangsdorffii) appears to be a promising alternative treatment for endometriosis.

OBJETIVO: analisar alterações macroscópicas e histológicas que ocorrem com o uso da sinvastatina em endometriose experimental em ratas. MÉTODOS: quarenta ratas da linhagem Wistar foram submetidas à técnica de autotransplante uterino em mesentério. Após três semanas, 24 ratas desenvolveram endometriose experimental grau III e foram divididas em dois grupos: Sinvastatina (dado 20 mg/kg/dia via oral) e Controle (dado cloreto de sódio a 0,9% na quantidade de 1 mL/100 g de peso corpóreo via oral), que receberam gavagem durante 14 dias seguido de morte. Os volumes dos implantes foram calculados [4pi (comprimento/2) x (largura/2) x (altura/2)/3] nas intervenções cirúrgicas e após a morte dos animais. Os autotransplantes foram retirados, corados com a hematoxilina-eosina e analisados à microscopia de luz. Foram usados o teste de Mann-Whitney para amostras independentes e o teste de Wilcoxon para amostras relacionadas. Para avaliação histológica, foi usado o teste exato de Fisher, adotando-se nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: a diferença entre os volumes médios iniciais dos autotransplantes nos dois grupos foi insignificante (p=1,00), e, entre os volumes médios finais, significante (p=0,04). Houve aumento significativo (p=0,01) entre os volumes médios iniciais e finais do Grupo Controle e redução insignificante no Grupo Sinvastatina (p=0,95). Histologicamente (p=0,64), o Grupo Sinvastatina (n=9) mostrou a parede epitelial moderadamente preservada em sete casos (77,80%) e dois casos com camada epitelial bem preservada (22,2%), e o Grupo Controle (n=12) com sete casos (58,30%) moderadamente preservados e cinco casos (41,70%) bem preservados. CONCLUSÕES: a sinvastatina impediu o crescimento dos focos de endometriose experimental. São promissores os estudos com uso da sinvastatina por período mais prolongado.

PURPOSE: to analyze the macroscopic and histological changes that occur with the use of sinvastatin in experimental endometriosis in female rats. METHODS: forty Wistar female rats were submitted to the technique of uterine self-transplant in mesenterium. After three weeks, 24 of them developed experimental endometriosis grade III, and were divided in two groups: one group received sinvastatin orally (20 mg/kg/day) and the other (control group) received 0.9% of sodium chloride orally (1 mL/100 g of body weight/day). Both groups received gavage for 14 days, followed by death. The implant volume was calculated [4pi (lenght/2) x (width/2) x (height/2)/3] at the surgical intervention and after the animal’s death. The self-transplants were removed, dyed with hematoxylin-eosin and analyzed by light microscopy. The Mann-Whitney’s test was used in the independent samples and the Wilcoxon’s test for the related samples. The Fisher’s exact test was used for the histological evaluation, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: the difference between groups of the initial average volumes of the self-transplants was not significant (p=1.00), but became significant for the final average volumes (p=0.04). There was a significant increase (p=0.01) between the initial and final average volumes in the control group, and a no significant decrease in the sinvastatin group (p=0.95). Histologically, the sinvastatin group (n=9) presented seven cases (77.8%) of moderately preserved and two cases (22.2%) of well preserved epithelial wall, while the control group (n=12) presented seven cases (58.3%) of moderately preserved and five cases (41.7%) of well preserved epithelial wall. CONCLUSIONS: sinvastatin prevented the growth of experimental endometriosis. Studies with sinvastatin for longer periods are promising.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar macroscopicamente o grau de crescimento de autotransplantes de endometriose em ratos. MÉTODOS: Quarenta ratos fêmeas, após período de sete dias para adaptação e avaliação da regularidade do ciclo estral, foram submetidas à laparotomia mediana abdominal caudal com incisões de três cm. Foi retirado o terço médio do corno uterino esquerdo, feito retalhos de quatro mm x quatro mm em meio líquido, sendo em seguida autotransplantado no mesentério da rata com ponto simples, tomando o cuidado de manter a superfície mucosa voltada para luz abdominal. Após o período de três semanas as mortes das ratas foram programadas. Realizou-se a exposição da cavidade abdominal com identificação e classificação dos autotransplantes. RESULTADOS: os resultados encontrados foram: grau 0 obteve um caso (2,5%), o grau I foi observado em três casos (7,5%), o grau II com onze casos (27,5%) e o grau III foi visto em vinte cinco casos (62,5%). CONCLUSÃO:Desenvolve-se a endometriose experimental pela técnica do autotransplante com a maioria dos casos em grau 3 e 2 de desenvolvimento.

PURPOSE: To evaluate macroscopically the growth degree of self-transplantation of endometriosis in rats. METHODS: Forty female rats, after a 7-day period for adpating and evaluating of the estrous cycle regularity, underwent tail abdominal midline laparotomy with 3-cm cuts. The average third of the left uterine horn was removed, 4mm x 4mm patches in liquid environment were made, and self-transplanted in the rat mesenterium with a single stitch, and the endometrial surface of the endometriotic implant facing the lumen of the peritoneal cavity. The rats were programmed to die after three weeks. The abdominal cavity displaying was held and self-transplants were identified and classified. RESULTS: The results achieved were: one case for degree 0 (2,5%), three cases for degree 1 (7,5%), eleven cases for degree II (27,5%) and twenty-five cases for degree III (62,5%). CONCLUSION: The experimental endometriosis development, through the self-transplantation technique, showed to be most common in degrees 3 and 2 of development.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: As mudanças morfológicas nas artérias espiraladas no leito placentário têm sido exaustivamente estudadas na fisiopatologia da pré-eclâmpsia, moléstia esta que está entre as principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade materna e perinatal. Segundo estudos, o vasoespasmo generalizado e os danos endoteliais representam as principais alterações fisiopatológicas da pré-eclâmpsia. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a microdensidade vascular no leito placentário nas gestantes portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia comparado às gestantes normotensas e possíveis repercussões maternas e perinatais. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal em gestantes portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia e gestantes normotensas submetidas à operação cesariana por indicações clínicas e obstétricas realizado no Departamento de Obstetrícia da Escola Paulista de Medicina da Universidade Federal de São Paulo, no período de 1º de novembro de 2003 a 30 de novembro de 2004. MÉTODO: 34 gestantes portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia e 26 gestantes normotensas foram submetidas à biópsia na área central do leito placentário para exame imunoistoquímico, usando o antígeno CD 34 para avaliar a microdensidade vascular em ambos os grupos, comparando-os. RESULTADOS: Biópsia do leito placentário contendo artérias espiraladas de 34 gestantes com hipertensão e proteinúria e 26 gestantes normotensas. Foi realizada a contagem das artérias nos segmentos decidual e miometrial. A microdensidade vascular foi menor nas gestantes portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia quando comparadas às grávidas normotensas e a microdensidade foi diminuindo progressivamente à medida que os níveis pressóricos foram mais elevados bem como os níveis de proteinúria. CONCLUSÃO: As gestantes portadoras de hipertensão e proteinúria têm microdensidade vascular diminuída no leito placentário, agravada pelos níveis pressóricos e proteinúria, provavelmente diminuindo o aporte de oxigênios e nutrientes ao concepto.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Morphological changes in the spiral arteries of the placental bed have been studied in patients with preeclampsia, one of the largest causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The reports show that vasospasm and vascular endothelial injury were two major pathological conditions for preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate the microvessel density of spiral arteries in the placental bed, in pregnancies complicated by hypertension and proteinuria, and in normal pregnancies. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional survey of immunohistochemical studies on biopsies from the spiral arteries of the placental bed, among women undergoing cesarean sections for clinical and obstetrical reasons at Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Placental bed biopsies were obtained during cesarean section after placenta removal, with direct viewing of the central area of placenta insertion. The microvessel density of spiral arteries was measured by immunohistochemical methods in decidual and myometrial segments, using CD34 antibody. RESULTS: Biopsies containing spiral arteries were obtained from 34 hypertensive pregnant women with proteinuria, and 26 normotensive pregnant women. The microvessel densities in decidual and myometrial segments of the placental bed were compared between the groups. It was observed that, with increasing blood pressure and proteinuria, the microvessel density gradually decreased. CONCLUSION: The presence of high levels of hypertension and proteinuria may be associated with a progressive decrease in microvessel density in the placental bed.