Effects of lactoferrin and progesterone on the endometriotic lesion in a female rat model

Lactoferrin (LF), a multifunctional glycoprotein of the transferrin family, exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory disease commonly treated with progesterone therapy; however, progesterone receptor (PGR) resistance in endometriotic lesions has increased interest in immunomodulatory approaches.

To evaluate the effects of LF alone and combined with progesterone on endometriotic lesions in a rat model.

An endometriosis model was induced in female Wistar Albino rats. Rats with confirmed endometriotic lesions were randomly divided into 4 equal groups and received the following oral treatments: Control (0.5% carboxymethylcellulose), bovine LF (bLF) (100 mg/kg/d), progesterone (0.3 mg/kg/day), combination therapy (bLF [100 mg/kg/d] + progesterone [0.3 mg/kg/d]). After treatment, the rats were euthanized, histopathological and biochemically anayses were done.

No statistically significant differences were observed in volume and adhesion scores of endometriotic lesions before and after treatment (P = 0.653, P = 0.413, P = 0.890, respectively). However, PGR and inflammatory cytocine levels were decreased in all treatment groups (P = 0.001). Although serum progesterone levels did not differ between groups (P = 0.06), serum LF levels were lower in the progesterone-only group (P = 0.001). Total antioxidant status (TAS) and Plasma total oxidant status (TOS) showed no significant differences among groups (P = 0.623 and P = 0.318, respectively).

LF, alone or combined with progesterone, reduced inflammatory cytokine levels associated with endometriosis-related pain, suggesting potential therapeutic value. Further studies are needed to clarify its role in progesterone resistance and the clinical management of endometriosis.