Abstract
Given the current theory of inflammatory changes being involved in the progression of endometriosis, MAPKs might be at play as pivotal intracellular signal transducers in endometriotic cells and thus have a pathophysiological role in the disease. In vitro study using endometriotic cell, all the MAPK inhibitors examined suppressed IL-1β-induced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8, and IL-1β-induced expression of COX-2 in endometriotic cells. Among MAPK inhibitors, p38MAPK inhibitor seemed to have the best potential to block inflammation. Then, the authors evaluated the effect of FR 167653, a p38MAPK inhibitor, on the development of endometriotic lesions and on the intraperitoneal inflammatory status using experimental model mice for endometriosis. FR 167653, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, caused a reduction in the growth of endometriotic lesions, coupled with the suppression of intraperitoneal inflammation. Thus, p38 MAPK inhibitors could have the therapeutic potential for endometriosis.
