High ω-3:ω-6 fatty acid ratios in culture medium reduce endometrial-cell survival in combined endometrial gland and stromal cell cultures from women with and without endometriosis

Objective: To study the effects of ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) on in vitro proliferation of endometrial cells and their production of the cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8).

Design: In vitro study.

Setting: Obstetrics and gynecology department, University of Aberdeen.

Patient(s): Women attending an infertility clinic.

Intervention(s): In vitro cell cultures using culture mediums supplemented with normal and high ratios of ω-3 PUFA and ω-6 PUFA.

Main Outcome Measure(s): In vitro survival and production of IL-8 by dispersed endometrial cells.

Result(s): In vitro survival of endometrial cells from women with and without endometriosis was significantly reduced in the presence of high ω-3:ω-6 PUFA ratios compared with cells incubated in the absence of fatty acids, in balanced ω-3:ω-6 PUFA ratios, and in high ω-6:ω-3 PUFA ratios. Endometrial cells from women with endometriosis secreted higher concentrations of IL-8, especially in the presence of high ω-3:ω-6 PUFA ratios.

Conclusion(s): ω-3 PUFA may have a suppressive effect on the in vitro survival of endometrial cells and ω-3 PUFA be useful in the management of endometriosis by reducing the inflammatory response and modulating cytokine function.