RESUMO
PURPOSE: To measure the effects of levormeloxifene on vaginal smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, tropoelastin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 production. METHODS: Primary SMC cultures were performed from vaginal wall biopsies. SMC were incubated with levormeloxifene (0.1 µM, 1 µM), in 96-well plates and cell proliferation was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay at 24 hours. Tropoelastin production was measured by the Fastin Assay kit and TGF-ß1 levels were assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: SMC proliferation was significantly increased by levormeloxifene [relative cell number, mean ± SE, levormeloxifene 0.1 µM 130 ± 13% of control (P=NS), 1 µM 151 ± 19% of control (P<0.05)]. Tropoelastin production was significantly decreased by levormeloxifene [mean ± SE, levormeloxifene 0.1 µM 75 ± 4% of control (P=NS), 1 µM 64 ± 2% of control (P<0.05)]. In addition, TGF-ß1 production was significantly decreased [mean ± SE, levormeloxifene 0.1 µM 79 ± 11% of control (P=NS), 1 µM 72 ± 14% of control (P<0.05)]. CONCLUSIONS: Levormeloxifene increases vaginal SMC proliferation, inhibits tropoelastin and TGF- ß1 production.