Oral contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol (0.035 mg) and cyproterone acetate (2 mg) inhibit leukocyte transmigration through endothelial cell monolayers.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate in oral contraceptives on leukocyte migration through endothelial cell monolayers.


METHODS
Experimental in vitro prospective study.


METHODS
An academic research laboratory.


METHODS
Endothelial cells were cultured on microporous membranes to produce monolayers. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were used in a previously described migration assay (n = 7). The amount of untreated polymorphonuclear leukocytes that migrated through untreated endothelial cell monolayers was used as a control and set at 100%. In addition, a leukocyte adhesion assay was used.


METHODS
Leukocyte adhesion to and transmigration through endothelial cell monolayers.


RESULTS
Ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate inhibited the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes through endothelial cell monolayers significantly (67% +/- 6.4%) when both cell types were treated to simulate in vivo conditions. The adhesion assay produced similar results.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate were identified as potent inhibitors of leukocyte migration through endothelial cell monolayers.
Hofbauer
R
R
Department of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University of Vienna, Wilhelminenspital, Austria. roland.hofbauer@akh-wien.ac.at
Frass
M
M
Gmeiner
B
B
Salfinger
H
H
Salzer
H
H
Kos
T
T
Wagner
O
O
Kapiotis
S
S
Kaye
A D
AD
D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020556:Neutrophil Infiltration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate