Effect of Glycosides of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. f. on Estrogen and Progeptors in Uterine Leiomyoma

Objective The aim of this study was to observe the inhibitory effect of glycosides of tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (GTW) on the growth of uterine leiomyomas and to investigate the mechanisms of GTW in shrinking leiomyomas volume. Methods Baseline ultrasound examinations of uterus and the my-omas were obtained and repeated three months, six months after treatment. Determinations of estradiol, proges-teron, testosterone, follicle -stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin by radioimmunity assay were performed in blood samples collected in the midfollicular or mid - luteal phase of the menstrual cycle before initiation of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. therapy and 3-4 months and 5-6 months after treatment. ER,PR protein levels were detected by immunohistochemical techniques. Results Significant decrease in the volume of leiomyoma was shown in 39 of 65 patients (60% ) after 3-4 months of GTW treatment and 28 of 40 patients (70% ) after 5-6 months of treatment. GTW induced an increase in mean LH,FSH levels and a decrease in mean E2 ,P levels as compared with pretreatment values. The amount of ER and PR were more in leiomyomas tissue than in the surrounding myometrium tissue, since they were significantly reduced in quantity by GTW. Conclusion GTW treatment not only showed a reversible inhibitory effect on the ovary, but also inhibited the expression of ER and PR protein levels. These may be the mechanisms of GTW in decreasing leiomyoma volume.