BACKGROUND: We evaluated apoptosis in human endometrial endothelial cells (HEECs) incubated with progesterone, levonorgestrel (LNG) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). STUDY DESIGN: HEECs were cultured to near confluence, and the progestogens were added. SETTING: Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. PATIENTS: No patients were involved. INTERVENTIONS: Progestogens at 5-, 250- and 500-ng/mL concentrations were added to incubations of HEECs for 12, 24 and 48 h. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: 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). CONCLUSION: MPA results in apoptosis of HEECs.
BACKGROUND: We evaluated apoptosis in human endometrial endothelial cells (HEECs) incubated with progesterone, levonorgestrel (LNG) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). STUDY DESIGN: HEECs were cultured to near confluence, and the progestogens were added. SETTING: Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. PATIENTS: No patients were involved. INTERVENTIONS: Progestogens at 5-, 250- and 500-ng/mL concentrations were added to incubations of HEECs for 12, 24 and 48 h. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: 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). CONCLUSION:MPA results in apoptosis of HEECs.