The effects of estrogen, progesterone and polypropylene mesh on vaginal smooth muscle cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVE To measure the effects of estrogen, progesterone and polypropylene mesh on vaginal smooth muscle cell proliferation. METHODS Primary smooth muscle cell (SMC) cultures were performed from vaginal biopsies which were then incubated with estradiol (0.1 microM, 1 microM, 10 microM), progesterone (5 nM, 50 nM, 0.5 microM), or polypropylene mesh to assess cell proliferation. RESULTS In vitro vaginal SMC proliferation was significantly increased by estradiol but not by progesterone or by polypropylene mesh (relative cell number, mean +/- SD, control vs. estrogen 0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.02, P=0.01; control vs. progesterone 0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.02, P=NS and control vs. mesh, 0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.24 +/- 0.01, P=NS). In addition, estradiol increased cell proliferation in a dose responsive fashion (estradiol dose: 0.1 microM, 1 microM, 10 microM) compared to control (P=0.01). CONCLUSION Vaginal SMC proliferation is significantly increased by estrogen.