Does nonylphenol promote the growth of uterine fibroids

Abstract Objective To study the effect and mechanism of action of nonylphenol (NP), an environmental oestrogen, on uterine leiomyoma (UL) cells. Methods Primary culture and subculture of human UL cells, identified as smooth muscle cells by immunocytochemical staining with a monoclonal anti-α-smooth muscle actin antibody, were performed. The viability of cells treated with various concentrations of NP for 24, 48 and 72 h was determined by CCK-8 assay. mRNA expression of oestrogen receptor α (ERα), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression was detected using Western blot analysis for all groups. Results NP promoted the growth of UL cells and expression of ERα, IGF-1 and VEGF; this was positively correlated with the concentration and duration of NP treatment. Conclusion NP promotes the growth of UL cells. The mechanism of action appears to be over-expression of IGF-1 and VEGF, up-regulated by ERα, resulting in the growth of UL cells.