Expression and Significance of COX-2 and VEGF in Endometriosis

Objective:To observe the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in endometriosis,and to explore their possible role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Methods:Expression of COX-2 and VEGF in 35 normal endometrium as well as 35 ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium in endometriosis(There are 16 nonfertile patients and 19 patients who had childbearing history) were detected by immunohistochemistry,and the data was analyzed with SPSS11.0 statistical software.Results:①The expression level of COX-2 and VEGF in the ectopic endometriotic tissues was significantly higher than those in the eutopic endometrium and normal endometrium(P 0.05).And the expression level of both COX-2 and VEGF in the eutopic endometrium was significantly higher than that in normal endometrium(P0.05).②There was significantly relativity between the expression of COX-2 and VEGF both in the ectopic endometriotic tissues and eutopic endometrium(r =0.711 and r =0.676,P0.01).③In the ectopic and eutopic endometriotic tissues,there was no statistical difference in the expression level of COX-2 and VEGF between the nonfertile patients and the patients with childbearing history(P0.05).Conclusions:Both COX-2 and VEGF contributed to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.This study would provide the base theory for clinic and search new target for the treatment of endometriosis.