Endocrine disruptors as risk factors for endometrial cancer (EC) are positively correlated with serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Additionally, increased FSH is associated with EC. However, its exact mechanism is not yet clear. Therefore, this study investigated how FSH affects the occurrence of EC. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blot (WB), we found that FSH receptor (FSHR) was expressed in both EC tissues and cell lines. To explore the effect of FSH on EC in vitro, Ishikawa (ISK) cells were cultured in different doses of FSH, and it was found that FSH could promote the proliferation and migration of ISK cells. Furthermore, the detection of key molecules of migration and apoptosis by WB showed that FSH promoted cell migration and inhibited apoptosis. Additionally, FSH decreased AMPK activation. To clarify the effect of FSH on EC in vivo, we subcutaneously planted ISK cells into ovariectomized mice and then gave two of the groups oestradiol (E2). In comparison with the OE (ovariectomy plus E2) and sham groups, the growth rates and weights of the tumors in the OE plus FSH group were significantly higher. The findings above suggest that FSH promotes the proliferation and metastasis of EC, providing a new strategy for the treatment of EC.
Keywords: AMPK; FSH; endocrine disruptors; endometrial cancer; organic pollutants.