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 omega -3 and omega -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 omega -3 PUFA and omega -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 omega -3:omega -6 PUFA ratios compared with cells incubated in the absence of fatty acids, in balanced w-3:w-6 PUFA ratios, and in high omega -6:omega -3 PUFA ratios. Endometrial cells from women with endometriosis secreted higher concentrations of IL-8, especially in the presence of high omega -3:omega -6 PUFA ratios. Conclusion(s): omega -3 PUFA may have a suppressive effect on the in vitro survival of endometrial cells and omega -3 PUFA be useful in the management of endometriosis by reducing the inflammatory response and modulating cytokine function. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001,;76:717-22. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).