Protective effects of enoxaparin treatment against uterus ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

Purpose: This study analyzed the protective effects of enoxaparin in rat uteruses by exposing the uterus to experimental ischemiareperfusion injury. Methods: Thirty female rats were homogenized by weight and cycle and divided into three groups: a control group, an ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, and an ischemia-reperfusion plus enoxaparin (I/R+E) group. An experimental uterine I/R model was established in the I/R and I/R+E groups. Unlike I/R group, all rats in the I/R+E group received subcutaneous enoxaparin at 0.5 mg/kg 2 hours before ischemia. In histopathological analysis, endometrial glandular and endo/myometrial stromal changes were scored according to the histopathological scoring system. Biochemically, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in uterine tissues. Results: In histopathological analysis, all of the control group’s scores were lower than those of the other groups, except for necrosis (p < 0.05). There was no significant improvement in the glandular and stromal changes between I/R and I/R+E (p > 0.05). However, the I/R+E group showed significantly increased SOD and CAT activities and decreased MDA levels compared to the I/R group (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Although enoxaparin did not significantly improve histopathological injury, its potent antioxidant effects suggest a protective role against oxidative stress in uterine I/R injury.