The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Endometriosis

To evaluate the efficacy of an association of N-acetyl cystein, alpha-lipoic acid, and bromelain (NAC/LA/Br) in the treatment of endometriosis we set up a new in vivo murine model. We explored the anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic effect of this combination on human endometriotic endothelial cells...

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Main Authors: C. Agostinis, S. Zorzet, R. De Leo, G. Zauli, F. De Seta, R. Bulla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/918089
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author C. Agostinis
S. Zorzet
R. De Leo
G. Zauli
F. De Seta
R. Bulla
author_facet C. Agostinis
S. Zorzet
R. De Leo
G. Zauli
F. De Seta
R. Bulla
author_sort C. Agostinis
collection DOAJ
description To evaluate the efficacy of an association of N-acetyl cystein, alpha-lipoic acid, and bromelain (NAC/LA/Br) in the treatment of endometriosis we set up a new in vivo murine model. We explored the anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic effect of this combination on human endometriotic endothelial cells (EECs) and on endothelial cells isolated from normal uterus (UtMECs). We implanted fragments of human endometriotic cysts intraperitoneally into SCID mice to evaluate the efficacy of NAC/LA/Br treatment. UtMECs and EECs, untreated or treated with NAC/LA/Br, were activated with the proinflammatory stimulus TNF-α and their response in terms of VCAM1 expression was evaluated. The proapoptotic effect of higher doses of NAC/LA/Br on UtMECs and EECs was measured with a fluorogenic substrate for activated caspases 3 and 7. The preincubation of EECs with NAC/LA/Br prior to cell stimulation with TNF-α prevents the upregulation of the expression of the inflammatory “marker” VCAM1. Furthermore NAC/LA/Br were able to induce EEC, but not UtMEC, apoptosis. Finally, the novel mouse model allowed us to demonstrate that mice treated with NAC/LA/Br presented a lower number of cysts, smaller in size, compared to untreated mice. Our findings suggest that these dietary supplements may have potential therapeutic uses in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases like endometriosis.
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spelling doaj-art-c10ff50e417341c2afe8b1f3bb05495e2025-08-20T03:23:24ZengWileyMediators of Inflammation0962-93511466-18612015-01-01201510.1155/2015/918089918089The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of EndometriosisC. Agostinis0S. Zorzet1R. De Leo2G. Zauli3F. De Seta4R. Bulla5Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28, 34127 Trieste, ItalyInstitute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, ItalyInstitute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, ItalyInstitute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28, 34127 Trieste, ItalyTo evaluate the efficacy of an association of N-acetyl cystein, alpha-lipoic acid, and bromelain (NAC/LA/Br) in the treatment of endometriosis we set up a new in vivo murine model. We explored the anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic effect of this combination on human endometriotic endothelial cells (EECs) and on endothelial cells isolated from normal uterus (UtMECs). We implanted fragments of human endometriotic cysts intraperitoneally into SCID mice to evaluate the efficacy of NAC/LA/Br treatment. UtMECs and EECs, untreated or treated with NAC/LA/Br, were activated with the proinflammatory stimulus TNF-α and their response in terms of VCAM1 expression was evaluated. The proapoptotic effect of higher doses of NAC/LA/Br on UtMECs and EECs was measured with a fluorogenic substrate for activated caspases 3 and 7. The preincubation of EECs with NAC/LA/Br prior to cell stimulation with TNF-α prevents the upregulation of the expression of the inflammatory “marker” VCAM1. Furthermore NAC/LA/Br were able to induce EEC, but not UtMEC, apoptosis. Finally, the novel mouse model allowed us to demonstrate that mice treated with NAC/LA/Br presented a lower number of cysts, smaller in size, compared to untreated mice. Our findings suggest that these dietary supplements may have potential therapeutic uses in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases like endometriosis.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/918089
spellingShingle C. Agostinis
S. Zorzet
R. De Leo
G. Zauli
F. De Seta
R. Bulla
The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Endometriosis
Mediators of Inflammation
title The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Endometriosis
title_full The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Endometriosis
title_fullStr The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Endometriosis
title_full_unstemmed The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Endometriosis
title_short The Combination of N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Bromelain Shows High Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Novel In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Endometriosis
title_sort combination of n acetyl cysteine alpha lipoic acid and bromelain shows high anti inflammatory properties in novel in vivo and in vitro models of endometriosis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/918089
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