[Expression of bcl-2 protein in adenomyosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) protein in adenomyosis and its clinical implication. METHODS: Endometrium specimens were obtained from 16 normal uterus and 32 with adenomyosis. bcl-2 expression in these paraffin embraced specimens was examined by immunohistochemical technique with specific monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: bcl-2 expression in normal endometrium showed a significant cyclic variation. bcl-2 expression of glandular cells in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium of adenomyosis also showed a significant cyclic variation. bcl-2 expression in endometrium of adenomyosis was stronger than that in normal endometrium, and bcl-2 expression in ectopic endometrium was stronger than that in eutopic endometrium. CONCLUSION: The decrease of cellular apoptosis resulted from the high bcl-2 expression may play an important role in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis.