Effect of a statin on an in vitro model of endometriosis

To determine the inhibitory effect of a statin on angiogenesis in a three-dimensional (3-D) culture of human endometrial fragments in vitro. Angiogenesis has been proposed as an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, and statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity.

Experimental in vitro study of human endometrial biopsies and 3-D culture in fibrin matrix.

Research laboratory at a university-affiliated infertility center.

Forty-six normal ovulating women undergoing infertility treatment.

Endometrial samples obtained from the fundus of the uterine cavity were minced, and the fragments were placed in a three-dimensional fibrin matrix culture system.

Presence or absence of proliferation of stromal cells and invasion of the fibrin matrix, presence or absence of vessel sprouting, and immunohistochemical characterization of cellular components.

During the 1st week of culture, invasion of stromal cells into the fibrin matrix occurred in the control group and in some wells outgrowths were observed. After 2 weeks, endometrial glands were observed in the outgrowths at a distance from the main tissue and were growing in conjunction with new vessel formation until the end of culture period. A concentration-dependent effect of lovostatin was seen on cell growth and angiogenesis in the experimental groups. In the presence of 5 and 10 microM of statin, angiogenesis was abolished, and cell proliferation was inhibited. In the presence of 1 microM of lovastatin, angiogenesis was reduced, but cell proliferation was not affected.

The statins were shown to be effective in inhibiting the mechanisms of cell proliferation and angiogenesis in an experimental model for the development of endometriosis-like tissue.