Antioxidant ameliorative effect of caffeic acid on the ectopic endometrial cells separated from patients with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: Considering the role of oxidative stress in the development and progression of endometriosis, the ameliorative effect of caffeic acid treatment on ectopic, eutopic endometrial cells enzyme activities was investigated. We also determined the underlying cellular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ectopic endometrial specimens were collected from women with confirmed cases of endometriosis (n = 10) and eutopic specimens from (n = 10) controls. Following endometrial cell isolation and culture, eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells were treated with caffeic acid. Then, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) enzyme activities, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) gene expression were measured. RESULTS: In ectopic endometrial cells, caffeic acid caused a significant elevation in Nrf-2 gene expression level, NQO1, and HO-1 enzyme activities. In addition, reduced ROS level was observed in caffeic acid-treated ectopic endometrial cells in comparison with the control. On the contrary, we did not observe any significant changes in caffeic acid-treated eutopic endometrial ones. CONCLUSION: Caffeic acid can protect the endometrial cells against oxidative stress and might be able to prevent the progression of endometriosis and its related complications, such as pain and infertility.