The modulating effects of vitamin D on the activity of β-catenin in the endometrium of women with endometriosis: a randomized exploratory trial

Abstract

Aims The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D on the expression and activity of β-catenin, as the key molecule of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, in endometriosis women. Materials and methods Thirty four infertile women with stage III or IV endometriosis were randomly divided to two groups. The control group received the routine treatment and the treatment group, beside the routine protocol, received 50000 IU vitamin D weekly for 12–14 weeks. Blood and endometrial tissue were collected from both groups before and after the intervention. Protein and Gene expression levels of β-catenin were assessed by Western blotting and Real-Time PCR, respectively. Results Compared to before intervention, the expression of active form of β-catenin reduced significantly within treatment group (p = .000), in addition, the difference between control and treatment groups (p = .012) was significant after intervention, too. Also, the ratio of active/total form of β-catenin protein expression was significantly decreased within the treatment group at the end of intervention period (p = .000). Conclusions It seems vitamin D can change the activity of β-catenin protein in the endometrial cells of endometriosis patients. Further studies on the therapeutic potential of vitamin D in modifying the β-catenin activity in endometriosis patients are warranted. Clinical Trial Registration Number IRCT2015081823678N1 Trial registration date 29 September 2015