Effect of hormonal agents on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression by endometrial epithelial cells of women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether hormonal agents used in the medical treatment of endometriosis, such as danazol and GnRH agonist, exert direct regulatory action on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression by endometrial epithelial cells.


METHODS
Primary cultures of epithelial cells isolated from human endometrium were exposed to different concentrations of cytokines and steroid hormone analogs. Expression of MCP-1 was analyzed at the levels of protein and messenger RNA.


METHODS
Gynecology clinic and laboratory of endocrinology of reproduction.


METHODS
Women presenting for infertility or pelvic pain in whom endometriosis was diagnosed by using laparoscopy.


METHODS
Endometrial tissue biopsy performed at laparoscopy.


METHODS
Secretion of MCP-1 protein was measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA steady-state levels were measured by performing Northern blot analysis.


RESULTS
Buserelin acetate, a GnRH agonist (0.1-10 ng/mL), had no significant effect on MCP-1 expression, whereas danazol (10(-7)-10(-5) M), a testosterone analog, and dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid hormone (10(-12)-10(-6)M), showed a direct and a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on MCP-1 expression. This effect occurred at the level of protein and mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the study may affect understanding of the mechanisms by which hormonal treatments act on endometriosis and influence its clinical manifestations.
Boucher
A
A
Unité d'Endocrinologie de la Reproduction, Centre de Recherche, H opital Saint-François d'Assise, Québec, Québec, Canada.
Lemay
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A
Akoum
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002064:Buserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003613:Danazol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003613:Danazol; D002064:Buserelin