MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC ALTERATIONS OF THE UTERUS IN EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC CARBON MONOXIDE INTOXICATION AND THEIR BIOCORRECTION WITH BOTANICAL AGENTS

Chronic carbon monoxide (CO) exposure induces tissue hypoxia and oxidative stress, to which reproductive organs exhibit heightened susceptibility. The morphological mechanisms underlying uterine wall injury during chronic CO intoxication and the potential for their biocorrection using botanical agents remain insufficiently characterized. Objective. To determine the patterns of morphological and morphometric alterations in the uterine wall during experimental chronic carbon monoxide intoxication and to evaluate the efficacy of biocorrection with stinging nettle oil and an aqueous infusion of Trachyspermum ammi (gulimahsar). Materials and methods. This experimental study utilized 210 female white outbred rats (aged 3 and 6 months). The animals were allocated into the following groups: control (n=52); chronic CO intoxication at a dose of 0.01–0.05 mg/L for 1 month (n=52); CO intoxication with intragastric stinging nettle oil biocorrection (n=52); and CO intoxication with intragastric biocorrection using a 1:10 aqueous infusion of gulimahsar (n=54). Tissue specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and stained using hematoxylin and eosin, and the Van Gieson method. Morphometric analysis was performed via digital microscopy, whereas Bcl-2 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically with computerized image analysis utilizing QuPath 0.5.1 software. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (M ± SD). Intergroup comparisons were conducted using the Student’s t-test, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05 (*) and p < 0.01 (**).The study protocol adhered to the principles of humane care and use of laboratory animals outlined in the European Convention ETS No. 123 (Strasbourg, 1986) and received approval from the local bioethics committee of Bukhara State Medical Institute. This research was conducted as part of the scientific research plan of Bukhara State Medical Institute titled "Early detection and diagnosis of pathological factors affecting the health of the population in the Bukhara region during the post-COVID period, and the development of novel treatment and prevention methods" (State Registration No. 05.2024 PhD 195, 2022–2026). Results. Chronic CO intoxication in 3-month-old animals induced significant thinning of the smooth muscle layer (15.8 ± 1.55 vs. 21.3 ± 1.5 μm; p < 0.05), a reduction in basal glandular epithelial height, and an inversion of the functional-to-basal endometrial layer ratio (from 50:50 to 25:75; p < 0.01). In 6-month-old animals, uterine mass increased (10.42 ± 0.45 vs. 8.3 ± 0.60 g), concurrent with pronounced stromal edema, stasis, and vascular wall sclerosis. Bcl-2 expression in the intoxication group decreased to 20.57%, compared with 50.78% in the control group. Biocorrection with stinging nettle oil elevated Bcl-2 expression to 39.31%, whereas the gulimahsar infusion raised it to 35.25%, both interventions yielding morphological evidence of activated reparative and regenerative processes. Conclusions. Chronic carbon monoxide intoxication induces dystrophic and destructive alterations in the uterine wall, concurrently suppressing antiapoptotic defense mechanisms (evidenced by a greater than twofold reduction in Bcl-2). Stinging nettle oil exhibits a more pronounced biocorrective effect than the gulimahsar infusion, warranting its recommendation as a promising protective agent for reproductive organs during toxic hypoxia.

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