Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of GnRHa and Gestrinone on growth, proliferation and apoptosis in isolated ectopic endometrial stroma cells in vitro, as well as expression of MMP3 induced by GnRHa and Gestrinone. MethodsAxenic ectopic endometriotic tissues were isolated and cultured in vitro. Then the cultured endometrial stroma cells were observed by an inverted microscope and identified by vimentin immunohistochemical staining. They were cultured and exposed to GnRHa and Gestrinone at different doses. The inhibition of the cells in 60 hours was determined by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and a cell growth curve was made. At 48 hours the cell cycle and apoptosis were monitored by flow cytometry (FCM), and expression of MMP3 in isolated ectopic endometrial stroma cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsGnRHa and Gestrinone obviously blocked the cell cycle of ectopic endometrial stroma cells with the number of cells increased at the G1 stage and decreased at the S stage. The apoptotic rate of endometrial stroma cells was significantly increased (P<0.05), while expression of MMP3 induced by GnRHa and Gestrinone was obviously decreased (P<0.05), but the apoptosis was more significantly enhanced and expression of MMP3 was more obviously decreased by GnRHa than by Gestrinone. ConclusionsGnRHa and Gestrinone can significantly inhibi growth and induce apoptosis of ectopic endometrial stroma cells by downregulating MMP3 expression. GnRHa is more effective than Gestrinone.　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Key words: Endometriosis, GnRHa, Gestrinone, Cell cycle, Cell apoptosis