Authors

Bin Li, M.S., Ming Chen, Ph.D., Xishi Liu, M.D., Ph.D., Sun-Wei Guo, Ph.D.

Volume 100, Issue 2, Pages 568-577, August 2013

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the action of nuclear factor (NF)-κB in adenomyosis and evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of andrographolide on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced expression of NF-κB-mediated genes cyclooxygease-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tissue factor (TF) in adenomyotic stromal cells.

Design:

Laboratory study using human tissues.

Setting:

Academic hospital.

Patient(s):

Twenty-nine patients (cases) with histologically confirmed adenomyosis and 14 (controls) without adenomyosis or endometriosis.

Intervention(s):

Endometrial stromal cells derived from tissue samples harvested from both cases and controls were subjected to electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and gene and protein expression analyses.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

The NF-κB DNA-binding activity and protein levels of NF-κB subunits p50 and p65 and the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of NF-κB-mediated genes COX-2, VEGF, and TF in cases and controls, and their changes after stimulation with TNF-α and treatment with andrographolide.

Result(s):

The constitutive NF-κB DNA-binding activity and protein expression levels of p50 and p65, and mRNA and protein levels of COX-2, VEGF, and TF in cases were significantly higher than that of controls. The binding activity level correlated positively with dysmenorrhea severity in cases. The TNF-α stimulation further increased the binding activity, and the mRNA and protein levels of COX-2, VEGF, and TF, but treatment with andrographolide significantly reduced them.

Conclusion(s):

NF-κB may be a pivotal transcription factor involved in the development of adenomyosis. Targeting NF-κB with inhibitors, like andrographolide, may hold promises of treating adenomyosis.

Read the full text at: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(13)00542-6/fulltext