Effect of hormonal agents on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression by endometrial epithelial cells of women with endometriosis

Objective: To assess whether hormonal agents used in the medical treatment of endometriosis, such as danazol and GnRH agonist, exert direct regulatory action on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-I) expression by endometrial epithelial cells. Design: Primary cultures of epithelial cells isolated from human endometriu m were exposed to different concentrations of cytokines and steroid hormone analogs. Expression of MCP-1 was analyzed at the levels of protein and mes senger RNA. Setting: Gynecology clinic and laboratory of endocrinology of r eproduction. Patient(s): Women presenting for infertility or pelvic pain in whom endomet riosis was diagnosed by using laparoscopy. Intervention(s): Endometrial tissue biopsy performed at laparoscopy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Secretion of MCP-1 protein was measured by using e nzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA steady-state levels were measure d by performing Northern blot analysis. Results: Buserelin acetate, a GnRH agonist (0.1-10 ng/mL), had no significa nt effect on MCP-1 expression, whereas danazol (10(-7)-10(-5) M), a testost erone analog, and dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid hormon e (10(-12)-10(-6) M), showed a direct and a dose-dependent inhibitory effec t on MCP-1 expression. This effect occurred at the level of protein and mRN A. Conclusion(s): The findings of the study may affect understanding of the me chanisms by which hormonal treatments act on endometriosis and influence it s clinical manifestations. (C) 894 by American Society for Reproductive Med icine.