Aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole) affects growth of endometrioma cells in culture.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole) on the growth and estradiol secretion of endometrioma cells in culture. DESIGN: Endometrioma cells are grown in vitro until maximum growth before used in this study. This was done in the research laboratory for tissue culture, in an academic hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Testosterone at a concentration of 10 µg/mL was added as a substrate for the intracellular aromatase. In addition, aromatase inhibitor was added at a concentration of 200 and 300 µg/mL. The effect on cell growth and estradiol secretion is evaluated using Student's t-test. RESULTS: The use of testosterone increased estradiol secretion by endometrioma cells in culture. The use of aromatase inhibitor significantly inhibited the growth of endometrioma cells, and estradiol secretion. CONCLUSION: Aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole) may be an effective treatment for endometriosis due to inhibition of cellular aromatase.

In vitro effect of danazol on endometrioma cells in culture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of danazol on endometrioma cells in culture, in relation to cell proliferation. STUDY DESIGN: Danazol has been shown to be effective in treating endometriosis, leading to remission. The mode of action is through suppression of gonadotropins. A direct effect on endometriosis implants has been suggested. This study was conducted on endometrioma cell lines using various concentrations of danazol in ethanol solution. RESULTS: Danazol showed a decrease in proliferation ofendometrioma cells in culture. This was also associated with an increase in apoptosis and necrosis ofcultured cells. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the direct effect of danazol on endometrioma cells in culture.

Cell growth effects of leuprolide on cultured endometrioma cells.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the GnRH agonist leuprolide on the growth of cultured endometrioma cells. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study in an academic setting on endometrioma cell lines cultured from 15 women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy for excision of endometrioma. RESULTS: Mean cell counts resulting from treatment with lower concentrations were not significantly different from those of the controls. Increasing concentrations of leuprolide resulted in inhibition of cell growth. The inhibitory effect of leuprolide was statistically significant when the 1,000 ng/mL concentration was compared with the control concentration. CONCLUSION: Increased concentrations of leuprolide has suppressive effects on the growth of cultured endometrioma cells. This suggests a direct effect of GnRH agonists acting via GnRH agonist receptors. Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists cause pituitary receptor down-regulation and ovarian suppression, a function that has made this class of agents useful for the treatment of endometriosis. Recent work has also revealed that this class of agents may also have a direct suppressive effect on peripheral target tissue, mediated by GnRH and GnRH agonist receptors. Preliminary work has suggested that there are GnRH receptors in endometriotic cells and that the growth of these cells is inhibited by GnRH agonists. This activity, however, has not been extensively studied in the growth of endometrioma cells. The present study evaluated the effect of the GnRH agonist leuprolide on 15 endometrioma cell lines.