Objective: To investigate the effect of androgens on the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress resistance in decidualized human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs).
Design: In vitro experiment.
Setting: University hospital.
Patient(s): Premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for uterine fibroids.
Intervention(s): Human endometrial stromal cells isolated from hysterectomy specimens were decidualized with 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8-br-cAMP) and P in the presence or absence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at various concentrations. Hydrogen peroxide was used as a source of reactive oxygen species.
Main outcome measure(s): Prolactin secretion, apoptosis, FOXO1, and the free radical scavengers superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and SOD1 protein expression.
Result(s): Prolactin production was induced in HESCs in response to 8-br-cAMP and P. Dihydrotestosterone further enhanced the secretion of PRL in cells treated with 8-br-cAMP plus P. The effect of DHT was blocked by the antiandrogen flutamide. Dihydrotestosterone enhanced resistance to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis on decidualized HESCs. Moreover, DHT enhanced FOXO1 expression in parallel with increased SOD2 protein but not with SOD1.
Conclusion(s): Androgens might play a critical role in the decidualization process at the time of embryo implantation and trophoblast invasion by promoting resistance to oxidative stress.
Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.