Metformin suppresses interleukin (IL)-1β-induced IL-8 production, aromatase activation, and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells

Context: Metformin, a widely used treatment for diabetes that improves insulin sensitivity, also has both antiinflammatory properties and a modulatory effect on ovarian steroid production, two actions that have been suggested to be efficacious in therapy for endometriosis. Objective: To determine whether metformin may be effective for the treatment of endometriosis, we evaluated the effects of this agent on inflammatory response, estradiol production, and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells ( ESCs). Design: ESCs derived from ovarian endometriomas were cultured with various concentrations of metformin. Main Outcome Measures: IL-8 production, mRNA expression and aromatase activity, and 5-bromo-2(')-deoxyuridine incorporation in ESCs were measured. Results: Metformin dose-dependently suppressed IL-1 beta-induced IL-8 production, cAMP-induced mRNA expression and aromatase activity, and 5-bromo-2(')-deoxyuridine incorporation in ESCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that further investigation into the unique therapeutic potential of metformin as an antiendo-metriotic drug is warranted.