Apoptosis induction of human endometriotic epithelial and stromal cells by noscapine.
OBJECTIVE
Endometriosis is a complex gynecologic disease with unknown etiology. Noscapine has been introduced as a cancer cell suppressor. Endometriosis was considered as a cancer like disorder, The aim of present study was to investigate noscapine apoptotic effect on human endometriotic epithelial and stromal cellsin vitro.


METHODS
In thisin vitrostudy, endometrial biopsies from endometriosis patients (n=9) were prepared and digested by an enzymatic method (collagenase I, 2 mg/ml). Stromal and epithelial cells were separated by sequential filtration through a cell strainer and ficoll layering. The cells of each sample were divided into five groups: control (0), 10, 25, 50 and 100 micromole/liter (µM) concentration of noscapine and were cultured for three different periods of times; 24, 48 and 72 hr. Cell viability was assessed by colorimetric assay. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was measured by Griess reagent. Cell death was analyzed by Acridine Orange (AO)-Ethidium Bromide (EB) double staining and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.


RESULTS
Viability of endometrial epithelial and stromal cells significantly decreased in 10, 25, 50 and 100 µM noscapine concentration in 24, 48, 72 hr (P<0.05) and apoptotic index increased in 25, 50 and 100 µM noscapine concentrations in 48 hr significantly (P<0.05). Concentrations of NO didn't show a significant decrease.


CONCLUSIONS
Noscapine increased endometriotic epithelial and stromal cell death and can be suggested as a treatment for endometriosis.
Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Mohammad Rasoul
MR
Khazaei
Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zahra
Z
Rashidi
Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Farzaneh
F
Chobsaz
Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Mozafar
M
Khazaei
Apoptosis; Endometriosis; Nitric oxide; Noscapine