Lack of an effect of interferon α-2b on endometrioma cellular \nrespiration

Objective: To explore the effect of INF α- 2b on oxygen \nconsumption of endometrioma cells in culture. Design: Oxygen \nconsumption is evaluated by the use of phosphorimeter, which measures \noxygen concentration in solution. Patients: A sample of endometrioma \nfrom patients who had undergone surgery for such disease, was cultured \nto develop cell lines for this study. Results: INF α-2b (at 4,000 \nunits/ml) inhibited the proliferation of endometrioma cells in culture. \nThe curves that describe [O2] in the cell suspensions as function of \ntime, were linear, indicating that the kinetics were zero order. INF \nα-2b had unnoticeable effect on the cellular oxygen consumption. \nConclusion: INF α-2b treatment does not target the energy \nconverting mechanism in the mitochondria. Its antiproliferative effect \nmay be related to inhibition of intracellular DNA.