[Effects of parthenolide on estradiol-synthesizing enzyme, ER isoforms and VEGF in human endometriotic stromal cells].

To evaluate the effects of parthenolide on estradiol-synthesizing enzyme, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and ER isoforms,VEGF in human endometriotic stromal cells. Primary endometriotic stromal cells were treated with different concentrations (1, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L) of parthenolide. The mRNA of StAR, ER isoforms (ERα and ERβ), PR, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) 1, TNFR2 were measured by real-time PCR. The levels of estradiol and progesterone in the cell supernatant were measured by ELISA. Different concentrations of parthenolide could up-regulate the mRNA of StAR in primary endometriotic stromal cells (5.722, 0.05); the mRNA of StAR in the group of 20 μmol/L was significantly higher than that of the control group [2.6±0.3 versus 1.0, 0.01]. Different concentrations of parthenolide could down-regulate the mRNA of ERα (6.921, 0.01); the mRNA of ERα in the group of 20 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L were significantly lower than those of the control group [0.2±0.3 versus 0.3±0.3 versus 1.0, all 0.05]. Different concentrations of parthenolide could down-regulate the ratios of ERα/ERβ mRNA levels (4.209, 0.05). Different concentrations of parthenolide could up-regulate the mRNA of VEGF and TNFR1 (10.964, 0.01; 7.286, 0.01). There were no statiscal significances with different concentrations of parthenolide on the mRNA of ERβ, PR, IL-6, TNFα and TNFR2, and the levels of estradiol and progesterone in the cell supernatant (all 0.05). Parthenolide may regulate the expression of estradiol-synthesizing enzyme, ER isoforms and angiogenesis in endometriotic stromal cells. Parthenolide may promote the development of endometriosis.