Effects of aromatase inhibitors on proliferation and apoptosis in eutopic endometrial cell cultures from patients with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of letrozole (Let) and anastrozole (Anas) on apoptosis and cell proliferation in epithelial endometrial cells (EEC) from patients with endometriosis (EDT).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Research institute and clinical fertility center.


METHODS
Eighteen women with untreated EDT.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens of eutopic endometrium were obtained from all subjects. Apoptosis and cell proliferation were examined in EEC after incubation with Let or Anas.


METHODS
Percentage of apoptotic cells (ApC) was evaluated by the acridine orange-ethidium bromide technique; cell proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation.


RESULTS
Treatment with Let 10 nM and Let 100 nM enhanced values of ApC in cultures from EDT patients. Epithelial endometrial cells treated with Anas 100 nM or Anas 500 nM showed a statistically significant induction on apoptosis levels. Cultures treated with Let 1 nM or Anas 50 nM did not show any significant differences in ApC levels compared with basal conditions. 3H-Thymidine uptake was down regulated by Let 10 nM and Let 100 nM. Similarly, Anas 100 nM and Anas 500 nM showed a significantly lower degree of cell proliferation in EEC. Lower concentrations of Let and Anas did not induce any significant change in cell proliferation rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that Let and Anas produced a significant and positive effect on apoptosis and cell proliferation on EEC from EDT patients. These findings support the further investigation of aromatase inhibitors as a treatment option in EDT.
Meresman
Gabriela F
GF
Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Hospìtal de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina. meresman@dna.uba.ar
Bilotas
Mariela
M
Abello
Verónica
V
Buquet
Ricardo
R
Tesone
Marta
M
Sueldo
Carlos
C
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors