The role of toll-like receptor 4 in the development of endometriosis and the benefits of trastuzumab in the treatment of endometriosis: a rat model

ABSTRACT We aimed to investigate TLR-4 receptor activity in the development of endometriosis and the effect of trastuzumab in experimentally induced endometriotic tissue via TLR-4 in this study. Twenty-eight female Wistar–Albino rats were divided into four groups: Group 1 (Control Group), Group 2 (Endometriosis Group), Group 3 (Endometriosis + Trastuzumab Group), and Group 4 (Trastuzumab Group). All animal tissue samples were collected. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses were performed. In histopathological analysis, there was a significant difference between Group 2 and other groups in terms of connective tissue edema, inflammation, hemorrhage, epithelial damage, and mast cell density. In immunohistochemical analysis with TLR-4, Group 2 exhibited strong staining. In biochemical analysis, it was found that there was a highly significant difference between Group 2 and Group 1 considering the Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma samples. There was no significant difference in terms of the MDA levels among other groups. Considering the glutathione levels in the plasma samples, it was found that there was a highly significant difference between Group 2 and Groups 3 and 4. Trastuzumab may play a role in the treatment of histopathological damage and fibrosis in experimentally induced endometriotic implants by showing anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activity. Disclosure statement The authors declare no conflict of interest.