The protective effect of proteasome inhibitorof bortezomib (Velcade) on the uterus of ovariectomize mice: Histological and immunohistological study

Bortezomib is an antitumor agent which inhibits reversibly proteasome that is responsible from degredation of many intracellular proteins. Although some side effects and chemotherapeutic effects of Bortezomib are known, there has not been enough research in the literature of its effect on different tissues regarding proteasome inhibition in senile period (postmenapausal) for this reason, the safety of postmenaupousal was aimed research in this study. The postmenopausal effects of Bortezomib was investigated on ovariectomize Spraque Dawley rats. The female rats were separated into 3 groups as control, ovariectimize and ovariectomize+Bortezomib groups consist of 6 rats in each groups. Bortezomib was administed intraperitonally in a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg in two days of a week for 4 weeks after ovariectomize. The uterus of rats were investigated by using morphometrical, histophathological and immunohistopathological methods. A striking atrophy in endometrium and myometrium was observed due to estrogen deficiency in ovariectomize group. The partial protective effect of Bortezomib administration was observed morphometricallyand histopathologically. In immunohistochemical research, a cytoplasmic NF-κB activity was observed in the presence of proteasome inhibition in endometrium. Under the ligth of these findings, a limited protective effects of postmenopausal Bortezomib adminstration may be mentioned.