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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on February 25, 2005
Human Reproduction 2005 20(6):1554-1561; doi:10.1093/humrep/deh803
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions{at}oupjournals.org

Progestogens stimulate prostacyclin production by human endothelial cells

C. Hermenegildo1,2,5, P.J. Oviedo3, M.C. García-Martínez3, M.A. García-Pérez1, J.J. Tarín4 and A. Cano3

1Research Unit, Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia and Departments of 2 Physiology, 3 Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and 4 Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, 46010 Spain

5 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Av. Blasco Ibañez, 17, E 46010 Valencia, Spain. Email: carlos.hermenegildo{at}uv.es

BACKGROUND: The effects of progestogens on endothelial physiology are poorly studied. Prostacyclin is a potent vasodilator synthesized by two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) in endothelium. We examined the effects of two clinically used progestogens, progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), on prostacyclin production by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the possible role of progesterone receptors and both COX enzymes. METHODS: Cells were exposed to 1–100 nmol/l of either progesterone or MPA and prostacyclin production was measured in culture medium. RESULTS: Both progestogens significantly increased prostacyclin release in a time- and dose-dependent manner, being higher than control after 24 h. Progesterone and MPA, both at 10 nmol/l, increased mRNA expression and protein content of both COX. All these effects were mediated through progesterone receptor activation, since they were abolished by treatment of cells with the progesterone receptor antagonist RU-486. Selective inhibitors of COX-1 and -2 (SC-560 and NS-398 respectively) reduced basal prostacyclin release, and eliminated increased production in response to progestogens. In combination with estradiol, progestogens had an additive effect without eliminating estradiol-induced prostacyclin production. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that progesterone and MPA increased HUVEC prostacyclin production in a progesterone receptor-dependent manner, by enhancing COX-1 and COX-2 expression and activities.

Key words: cyclooxygenase/endothelial function/hormones/prostaglandins/vasoactive agents


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