Antioxidant activity of N-acetylcysteine, flavonoids and α-tocopherol on endometrial cells in culture

An appropriate local environment is necessary for successful implantation. Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of several pathologies, and may contribute to early pregnancy failure. Antioxidant therapies have been studied in infertility. In this study, we have assessed the antioxidant activity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), flavonoids (quercetin, catechin) and α-tocopherol in an oxidative model of endometrial cells (RL95). Endometrial cells were incubated at several hydrogen peroxide concentrations. Antioxidant effects of NAC (15 mM), quercetin (150 μM), catechin (150 μM) and α-tocopherol included in liposomes (1.6 μg) were assessed by measuring cell viability by the MTT assay. α-Tocopherol-liposomes taken up by endometrial cells were assessed by HPLC. All liposomes used were able to introduce α-tocopherol into cells. The antioxidant effect of NAC and quercetin improved the viability of oxidised cells, and this effect was observed when the oxidant and antioxidant were coincubated. No viability change occurred when the antioxidant was added before or after the oxidant. The antioxidant effect of NAC was better than that of quercetin. When catechin or α-tocopherol were used in the same conditions, no antioxidant effect was detected in cells in culture. These results demonstrate that NAC and quercetin are good H2O2 scavengers. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.