New approaches in education and health sciences management

New approaches in education and health sciences management

Therapeutic Effects of Alpha-Tocopherol on Estrogen Receptor Gene Expression and SOD Antioxidant Activity in the Ovarian Tissue of an Endometriosis Model

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Fatemeh Shahidian Akbar
PhD in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
10.22034/edus.2025.565421.1074
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Endometriosis is a hormonal-inflammatory disorder associated with increased oxidative stress and altered expression of hormonal genes. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of alpha-tocopherol on estrogen receptor (ESR) gene expression and superoxide dismutase (SOD) antioxidant enzyme activity in the ovarian tissue of an endometriosis model.
Methods: In this experimental study, 15 adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups: healthy control, endometriosis, and endometriosis + alpha-tocopherol. Endometriosis was induced via ovarian tissue transplantation. The treatment group received daily 200 mg/kg of alpha-tocopherol via gavage starting two weeks after model induction. ESR gene expression was measured using Real-Time PCR, and SOD antioxidant activity was assessed with a commercial kit. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.
Results: ESR gene expression was significantly increased in the endometriosis group compared to the healthy control group (p≤0.0001). Treatment with alpha-tocopherol significantly reduced gene expression compared to the endometriosis group (p = 0.026), although it did not fully return to the healthy control level. SOD enzymatic activity was significantly decreased in the endometriosis group (p≤0.0001), while alpha-tocopherol administration significantly increased SOD activity compared to the endometriosis group (p≤0.0001), although it remained lower than in healthy controls. These findings indicate the modulatory and antioxidant effects of alpha-tocopherol in the endometriosis model.
Conclusion: Alpha-tocopherol can partially reduce ESR gene expression and enhance SOD antioxidant activity in the ovarian tissue of an endometriosis model, demonstrating its protective and modulatory effects on molecular pathways and oxidative stress associated with endometriosis
Keywords
Alpha-tocopherol
Estrogen receptor gene
SOD

Ethics Approval ID: IR.IAU.SARI.REC.1398.151

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New approaches in education and health sciences management
Volume 2, Issue 4
January 2026
Winter 2026
Pages 44-54

  • Receive Date 03 August 2025
  • Revise Date 17 October 2025
  • Accept Date 12 December 2025
  • First Publish Date 12 December 2025
  • Publish Date 02 February 2026