High omega-3:omega-6 fatty acid ratios in culture medium reduce endometrial-cell survival in combined endometrial gland and stromal cell cultures from women with and without endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) on in vitro proliferation of endometrial cells and their production of the cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8).


METHODS
In vitro study.


METHODS
Obstetrics and gynecology department, University of Aberdeen.


METHODS
Women attending an infertility clinic.


METHODS
In vitro cell cultures using culture mediums supplemented with normal and high ratios of omega-3 PUFA and omega-6 PUFA.


METHODS
In vitro survival and production of IL-8 by dispersed endometrial cells.


RESULTS
In vitro survival of endometrial cells from women with and without endometriosis was significantly reduced in the presence of high omega-3:omega-6 PUFA ratios compared with cells incubated in the absence of fatty acids, in balanced omega-3:omega-6 PUFA ratios, and in high omega-6:omega-3 PUFA ratios. Endometrial cells from women with endometriosis secreted higher concentrations of IL-8, especially in the presence of high omega-3:omega-6 PUFA ratios.


CONCLUSIONS
omega-3 PUFA may have a suppressive effect on the in vitro survival of endometrial cells and omega-3 PUFA be useful in the management of endometriosis by reducing the inflammatory response and modulating cytokine function.
Gazvani
M R
MR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, Aberden Hospital, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK. m.r.gazvani@abdn.ac.uk
Smith
L
L
Haggarty
P
P
Fowler
P A
PA
Templeton
A
A
D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012016:Reference Values; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000502:physiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D016209:Interleukin-8