Abstract
PURPOSE: This study analyzed the protective effects of enoxaparin in rat uteruses by exposing the uterus to experimental ischemia-reperfusion 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.