Probucol, a Hypocholesterolemic Agent, Prevents the Development of Uterine Adenomyosis Induced by Pituitary Grafting in Mice

Abstract

This in vivo experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of probucol, a hypocholesterolemic agent, on uterine adenomyosis which is frequently induced by pituitary grafting in mice. SHN mice, which are known to develop uterine adenomyosis spontaneously, and much sooner after pituitary grafting, were used and histopathological study on the uteri in pituitary gland-implanted mice with or without probucol treatment was performed. Four out of 10 pituitary gland-implanted mice developed uterine adenomyosis with dilated blood vessels, but none of the probucol-treated mice. There were no differences between pituitary-grafted mice with or without probucol treatment in body weight and wet weights of uterus, ovaries, kidney and liver except spleen. Probucol markedly reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, free fatty acids, phospholipids and triglycerides and, thus, this agent inhibited the incidence of uterine adenomyosis induced by pituitary grafting in mice.