Title : Effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on induced uterine fibroids in rats
Abstract:
Uterine leiomyoma or fibroids are the most common benign tumors in reproductive women. Although their negative impact on women’s health, there are few conservative treatment options for women suffering from fibroid symptoms. This study was conducted to investigate different doses related to the effect of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on induced uterine leiomyoma in rats. Thirty mature virgin female Wister strain rats, weighting 150-190 grams were used in this study; 3 rats used as a negative control group, and the other 27 rats were subjected for induction of leiomyoma. The induced groups (untreated group and 2 experimental groups (A& B), were administrated Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) for 8 weeks, and from the 3rd week; Estradiol benzoate was injected intramuscularly twice per week for 6 weeks. After induction, the induced rats were divided into: 5 rats untreated group, 18 rats treated conservatively with Shock Wave Therapy (SWT) as; 9 rats in group A were treated by Low intensity SWT and 9 rats in group B were treated by High intensity SWT, while the other 4 rats had died during the induction phase. All rats were assessed for developing uterine fibroids with Doppler ultrasonography. The collected blood samples: Estradiol (E2), Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone (P4), and Progesterone Receptor (PGR), were assayed. Total cholesterol, protein, albumin, and globulin were measured also. Uterine arteries’ blood flow velocities, indices, and volume were obtained. Tissue samples were stained with Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA), trichrome-three, and (hematoxylin and eosin). Rats developed leiomyoma had the highest (P=0.0001) gross and sonographic uterine horns diameters, uterine weight, uterine coefficient, E2, and ER. Both trichrome-three and SMA staining confirmed the leiomyoma development and the response to shock waves treatment. In conclusion, low-intensity and high- intensity radial shock waves are proved to be curative for the induced leiomyoma in rats.
