INTRODUCTION: The literature reports that endometrial implants have receptors for steroid hormones primarily stimulated by estrogen and that some treatment strategies have been proposed in experimental models such as the use of synthetic glucocorticoids, for example, dexamethasone. OBJECTIVE: to analyze histochemically and morphometrically endometriotic lesions induced in rats and treated with dexamethasone (0.8 mg/kg/day). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty albino female rats (Wistar strain), with 90 days of age, weighing approximately 150 g, were induced with endometriosis and divided into groups: I - rats with endometriosis and evaluated after 34 days, II - rats with endometriosis and evaluated after 47 days, III - rats with endometriosis and 21 days post-surgery treated with dexamethasone for 13 days and IV - rats with endometriosis and 21 days post-surgery treated with dexamethasone for 13 days and euthanized after a period of 13 days starting from the end of treatment. The fragments of endometrial implants were fixed in Bouin, embedded in Paraplast and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Mallory trichrome. The mean number of glands was compared through nonparametric Tukey-Kramer test (p < 0,05). RESULTS: Dexamethasone reduced inflammation in the endometrial implants, the collagen content in the stroma and decreased significantly the area occupied by glands (GI - 123.25 ± 6.44ª; IGI - 113 ± 6.27ª; GIII - 81.66 ± 3.05b and GIV - 94 ± 6.24b). CONCLUSION: The applied dexamethasone dosage reduces estrogenic effects in endometrial implants in rats.
Histochemistry analysis; Morphometric analysis; Endometriosis; Wistar rats; Dexamethasone
