title: Letrozole stimulates the growth of human endometrial explants cultured in three-dimensional fibrin matrix.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, on the growth of human endometrium in a three-dimensional fibrin matrix model of endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study of human endometrial biopsies in a three-dimensional fibrin matrix culture system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight normal women with benign gynecologic problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial biopsy samples were washed, cut into small pieces, and placed between two layers of fibrin gel in the presence or absence of letrozole in the culture medium. Tissue changes were assessed by histological and immunohistochemical staining using an inverted microscope, image analysis, and a semiquantitative scoring system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stromal and epithelial cell outgrowth into the fibrin matrix and angiogenesis comprising endothelial cell invasion of the matrix.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Letrozole (0.1 micromol/L, 1 micromol/L, and 10 micromol/L) exerted a significant growth stimulation effect on endometrial tissue in this model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In contrast to our expectations, letrozole stimulated growth of normal human endometrium in an in vitro model of endometriosis. Normal endometrium may respond differently than endometriotic lesions to therapeutic agents. Our findings should be kept in mind when considering future research to explore new clinical treatments for endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Reproduction Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Kermanshah, Iran. mkhazaei1345@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mozafar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khazaei
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montaseri
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Casper
mesh_terms: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D000077289:Letrozole; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017697:Premenopause; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000077289:Letrozole; D005337:Fibrin