High efficacy of photodynamic therapy on rat endometrium after systemic administration of benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) 2003-08, Vol.18 (8), p.1707-1711
• Main Authors: Mhawech, P., Renaud, A., Sene, C., Lüdicke, F., Herrmann, F., Szalay‐Quinodoz, I., van den Bergh, H., Major, A.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Endometrium - drug effects; Endometrium - pathology; Female; Genital system. Reproduction; Humans; Hysterectomy; Key words: BDP/endometrial ablation/PDT/rat model; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents - administration & dosage; Photosensitizing Agents - pharmacology; Porphyrins - administration & dosage; Porphyrins - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Verteporfin
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deg341

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (verteporfin)‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on rat endometrium and to determine the optimal drug concentration for endometrial ablation. METHODS: Five minutes after i.v. injection of different concentrations of verteporfin into 24 female Sprague–Dawley rats, 630 nm light treatment was delivered for 500 s (120 J/cm2) to the left horn of the uterus. The 24 rats were divided into six groups according to the drug dose injected, four rats per group: group I (2 mg/kg), group II (1 mg/kg), and groups III, IV, V and VI with 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 and 0.0625 mg/kg respectively. Four days later, the rat uteri were analysed by light microscopy. RESULTS: Endometrial destruction was seen in all six groups, with the most significant result in group I (P < 0.008). Conservation of the myometrium was most significant in groups III, IV, V and VI. Acute inflammatory cells in the stromal endometrium were recorded mainly in groups I and II. However, the drug dosage that was most significant in destroying the glands with conservation of the myometrium and not causing severe inflammation was between 0.5 and 0.125 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Verteporfin was effective in endometrial ablation in all our animal groups, and the dose range of 0.5–0.125 mg/kg appeared to be adequate. This observation will have to be scaled for clinical application.