Effects of progesterone, levonorgestrel and medroxyprogesterone acetate on apoptosis in human endometrial endothelial cells.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated apoptosis in human endometrial endothelial cells (HEECs) incubated with progesterone, levonorgestrel (LNG) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA).


METHODS
HEECs were cultured to near confluence, and the progestogens were added.


METHODS
Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.


METHODS
No patients were involved.


METHODS
Progestogens at 5-, 250- and 500-ng/mL concentrations were added to incubations of HEECs for 12, 24 and 48 h.


METHODS
Apoptosis based on terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and semiquantification of Bax and Bcl-2.


RESULTS
No apoptosis was found by TUNEL, Bax and Bcl-2 after 12 h incubation with any progestogen. TUNEL increased after incubation for 24 and 48 h with progesterone 500 ng/mL; LNG 250, 500 ng/mL and all concentrations of MPA (p<.001), Bax increased and Bcl-2 decreased at all concentrations of MPA and the two highest concentrations of LNG at 48 h (p<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
MPA results in apoptosis of HEECs.
Choksuchat
Chainarong
C
CONRAD Clinical Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA.
Zhao
Shumei
S
Deutch
Todd D
TD
Kimble
Thomas D
TD
Archer
David F
DF
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D053960:DNA Breaks; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis
C494826:BAX protein, human; D011372:Progestins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D011374:Progesterone; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate