Effect of Levonorgestrel on Proliferation and Gap Junction Intercellular Communication of Human Endometrial Cell

[Objective] To explore the effects of levonorgestrel on proliferation, gap junction intercellular communication and Cx43, Cx32 expression of stromal and glandular cells in vitro. [Methods] The effects of levonorgestrel (LNG) on the proliferation of endometrial stromal and glandular cells were detected by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method. The scrap loading dye transfer was used to investigate the effects of LNG on GJIC of endometrial stromal and glandular cells. The influence of levonorgestrel (LNG) on Cx43 and Cx32 expression was investigated with a laser scanning confocal microscope. [Results] 5×10-5 mol/L LNG significantly depressed the proliferation of endometrial stromal and glandular cells. The ability of GJIC function was higher in the endometrial stromal cells than that of the glandular cells in vitro. 5×10-5 mol/L LNG leading to greater GJIC after 48h (P0.05). Cx32 expressions in endometrial stromal and glandular cells were significantly higher than Cx43. 5×10-5 mol/L LNG had no effect on Cx expression. [Conclusions] LNG could inhibit the proliferation of endometrial stromal and glandular cells in vitro. The function of LNG′s up-regulation on GJIC of endometrial stromal and glandular cells may be one of mechanisms which invert endometrial hyperplasia. LNG had no effect on Cx expression of endometrial stromal and glandular cells, which indicates Cx expression could not completely reflect GJIC function in vitro.