Objective: To investigate the effect of dienogest on the proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.
Design: Comparative and laboratory study.
Setting: University of Tokyo Hospital.
Patient(s): Endometriotic stromal cells were isolated and cultured from ovarian endometriomas of patients undergoing surgery.
Intervention(s): Dienogest was added to the cultured endometriotic stromal cells.
Main outcome measure(s): 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation into DNA of the endometriotic stromal cells was measured by ELISA. Cell cycle analysis of the cultured endometriotic stromal cells was performed by flow cytometry.
Result(s): Dienogest at concentration of 10(-7) M and 10(-6) M significantly inhibited BrdU incorporation into DNA at 24 and 48 hours. Dienogest significantly increased the cells in G0/G1 phase and reduced the cells in S phase and G2/M phase in 24 and 48 hours.
Conclusion(s): The present study indicates that dienogest can inhibit the proliferation of the endometriotic stromal cells with G0/G1 arrest, suggesting a possible direct effect of dienogest in the treatment of endometriosis.