The role of GnRH analogues in endometriosis-associated apoptosis and angiogenesis

Marta Tesone, Tesone M, Mariela Bilotas, Barañao RI, Rosa Inés Barañao, Gabriela Meresman
Gynecologic and obstetric investigation · 2008 · vol. 66(Suppl. 1) , pp. 10–18 · doi:10.1159/000148026 · PMID:18936547 · W1990562317
Review OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 22 in-corpus citations
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Leuprorelin, a GnRH analogue, inhibits endometriosis cell proliferation and angiogenesis by modulating apoptosis-related proteins and reducing VEGF-A and IL-1β production.

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Abstract

It has been postulated that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues may act directly on endometrial cells and inhibit their growth and proliferation by regulation of apoptotic and angiogenic mechanisms. Eutopic endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis show an increased proliferation rate and are less susceptible to cell death by apoptosis than those from subjects without the disease. Notably, the GnRH analogue, leuprorelin, inhibits cell proliferation and increases the apoptotic rate in eutopic endometrial cell cultures, an effect that appears to be mediated by an increase in the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and FasL and a decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Angiogenesis is an important process in the development of endometrial tissue, and it is regulated by vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and angiopoietins. VEGF levels are elevated in peritoneal fluid and endometriotic tissue from patients with endometriosis. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the expression of VEGF is potentiated by a variety of cytokines, including IL-1beta. Recent studies show that leuprorelin reduces the production of VEGF-A and IL-1beta in eutopic endometrial cell cultures, suggesting a mechanism by which it could inhibit the development of endometriosis. Thus, GnRH analogues appear to be effective in reducing the growth of endometrial cells, not only due to their classical pituitary endocrine effects, but also via a direct effect on the endometrial cells themselves.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Apoptosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Leuprolide Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis Cell Proliferation Cell Proliferation Cell Proliferation Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Female Female Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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Cited by (23)

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