INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of estrogen on vaginal smooth muscle cell (SMC) tropoelastin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 production. METHODS: Primary SMC were incubated with estradiol, and cell proliferation was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 48 h. Supernatants were collected and tropoelastin and TGF-β1 levels measured. RESULTS: SMC proliferation was significantly increased by estradiol [relative cell number, mean ± standard error (SE), estradiol 0.1 μM 116 ± 19 % of control (P = NS), 1 μM 127 ± 13 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 153 ± 26 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. Tropoelastin production was significantly decreased by estrogen [mean ± SE, estradiol 0.1 μM 78 ± 2 % of control (P < 0.05), 1 μM 76 ± 4 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 67 ± 3 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. In addition, TGF-β1 production was significantly decreased [mean ± SE, estradiol 0.1 μM 96 ± 4 % of control (P = NS), 1 μM 84 ± 6 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 70 ± 6 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. CONCLUSION: Estrogen increases vaginal SMC proliferation and inhibits tropoelastin and TGF-β1 production.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of estrogen on vaginal smooth muscle cell (SMC) tropoelastin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 production. METHODS: Primary SMC were incubated with estradiol, and cell proliferation was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 48 h. Supernatants were collected and tropoelastin and TGF-β1 levels measured. RESULTS: SMC proliferation was significantly increased by estradiol [relative cell number, mean ± standard error (SE), estradiol 0.1 μM 116 ± 19 % of control (P = NS), 1 μM 127 ± 13 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 153 ± 26 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. Tropoelastin production was significantly decreased by estrogen [mean ± SE, estradiol 0.1 μM 78 ± 2 % of control (P < 0.05), 1 μM 76 ± 4 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 67 ± 3 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. In addition, TGF-β1 production was significantly decreased [mean ± SE, estradiol 0.1 μM 96 ± 4 % of control (P = NS), 1 μM 84 ± 6 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 70 ± 6 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. CONCLUSION: Estrogen increases vaginal SMC proliferation and inhibits tropoelastin and TGF-β1 production.