Expression of TIMP-1 gene in human endometriosis

Objective To study the TIMP-1 gene expressionin endometriosis and normal endometriumin ordertoinvestigate the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Methods The expression of TIMP-1 proteinin 25 speci mensof endometriosis and 22 speci mens of normal endometrium were studied by i mmunohistochemical SP while theexpression of TIMP-1 mRNAin 33 speci mens of endometriosis and 30 speci mens of normal endometrium werefurther assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The protein and mR-NAexpressionlevel of TIMP-1 gene showed nosignificant difference compared withthat in normal endometrium(P0.05).Conclusion TIMP-1 will maintain endometriumenvironment normally by holding the balancewith MMPs.The disturbed equilibrium between MMPs and TIMP-1 in endometriosis may play an i mportantrole in the pathogenesis of the disease.