The Expression Of Cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2) In Endometriosis And Adenomyosis

Objective: To detect the expression of cyclooxygenase2(COX-2) and its relationship with clinical-pathological features in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of endometriosis and adenomyosis,thereby investigate the role of it in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and adenomyosis .Methods: The subjects were 45 patients with endometriosis ,32 patients with adenomyosis and 37 normal controls .The COX-2 mRNA expression in different samples were detected by semi-quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),glyceraldahyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH) were used as internal control .The detected ratio of COX-2 mRNA to GAPDH mRNA by computer image analysis system represents the value of COX-2 mRNA expression in every sample. The values were evaluated for associations with clinical-pathological features. Using streptavidin-biotin peroxidase(SP) methods of the immunohistochEMistry, we also examin the expression of COX-2 protein in eutopic and ectopic endometria of endometriosis and adenomyosis.Results: 1. COX-2 mRNA and protein were detected in 32/37 and 30/37 normal endometriums respectively. All cases (45/45)which eutopic and ectopic of endometrium with endometriosis expressed COX-2 mRNA and protein,the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in three groups above has significant difference (P<0. 01) .2. The expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in normal endometriums, eutopic and ectopic endometrium with endometriosis,were all significantly relevant to the phase of the menstrual cycle,secretory phase were higher than proliferative phase.( P<0. 01, P<0. 05, P<0. 05). The expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in stageIII~IV were significantly higher than stage I~II.( P<0. 01, P<0. 01). The expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in ectopic endometrium with endometriosis were significantly relevant to pathological types (P<0.05 ) ,while those in eutopic endometrium were not (P 》 0.05) 3. All (32/32) eutopic and ectopic endometrium with adenomyosis expressed COX-2 mRNAand protein,and both were higher than normal endometrium ,the above three groups have significant difference (P<0. 01). The expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in eutopic endometrium with adenomyosis were all significantly relevant to the phase of the menstrual cycle (P<0. 05) ,while those in ectopic endometrium was not (P》 0.05) . Conclusion: 1. COX-2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometnosis and adenomyosis. The expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in eutopic and ectopic endometrium with endometriosis and adenomyosis were significently higher than that in normal endometrium .2. COX-2 may lead to endometriosis progression, and it may be an important factor of the progressive development of endometriosis .As R-AFS clinical increase, the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein are strengthen.3. COX-2 may be involved with the symptoms of endometriosis and adenomyosis, such as infertility and desmenorrhea.4.The expresssion level of COX-2 in endometriosis and adenomyosis were significantly higher than that in normal endometrium, which may be provide a theoretical basis for anti- COX-2 to treat endometriosis and adenomyosis.