Effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial stromal cells from women with endometriosis

Moon, Soo Hyeon; Lee, Seong Eui; Kim, Hwi Gon; Choi, Ook Hwan; Lee, Kyu Sup; Na, Yong Jin

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial cells from women with endometriosis.
METHODS
Endometrial tissues were obtained from four women with endometriosis. The endometrial stromal cells isolated from tissue were cultured with 0, 2 and 10 micrometer simvastatin treatments for 48 hours. The proliferation of endometrial stromal cells was inhibited with 2 and 10 micrometer simvastatin treatments compared to control. The effect of simvastatin on the sub-G1 phase of cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis related molecule (Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3) was examined in control and simvastatin treatments using western blot.
RESULTS
The sub-G1 phase was higher in 10 micrometer simvastatin than in control and 2 micrometer simvastatin (P<0.05). This result showed that simvastatin could induce apoptosis of stromal cells. The expression of Bcl-2 was increased in simvastatin treatments slightly (P<0.05) and the expression of Bax was not different between control and experimental groups. The activation of caspase-3 was significantly higher in 10 micrometer simvastatin treated group than control and 2 micrometer simvastatin treated groups (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Simvastatin induces apoptosis of endometrial stromal cells and inhibits their proliferation. It was considered that simvastatin could potentially be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of endometriosis.