The effect of omega 3 fatty acids supplementation on uterine prostaglandin E2 and aromatase P450 in patients with leiomyoma

Abstract

Uterine leiomyoma is one of the most common tumor lesions in reproductive system of female. Estrogen and prostaglandin E2 are the most important causes and factors involved in onset and progression of leiomyoma lesions. Aromatase P450 is the most important enzyme in estrogen synthesis pathway, and play an important role in onset and progression of uterine leiomyoma. Omega-3 (Ѡ3) fatty acids are important factors in inhibition of inflammation as well as production of inflammatory prostaglandins. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on uterine prostaglandin E2 and uterine aromatase P450 in patients with leiomyoma. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 10 women with uterine leiomyoma (as case group) and 10 healthy women (as control group) were selected. On the same day of menstrual cycle, samples of uterine fluid and endometrial tissue were received from all subjects by pipelle biopsy method. The size and number of lesions were investigated by ultrasound. Level of prostaglandin E2 in uterine fluid was investigated by ELISA method. Moreover, mRNA expression of prostaglandin E2 encoding gene (COX-2) and aromatase P450 encoding gene (CYP-19) in tissue samples were evaluated by Real-Time PCR method. All subjects were then received omega-3 gelatin capsule at a dose of 1000 mg for 3 months. After consumption of omega-3, the size and number of lesions, prostaglandin E2 level and expression of COX-2 and CYP-19 genes were evaluated again. Results: The obtained results indicated level of prostaglandin E2 and expression of COX-2 and CYP-19 genes in control group were significantly higher than case group. Consumption of omega-3 in some patients cause to slight reduction in size or number of leiomyoma lesions. Prostaglandin E2 levels as well as COX-2 gene expression indicated a significant decrease in case group after consumption of omega-3. However, consumption of omega-3 did not have a significant effect on CYP-19 gene expression.