Effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in adenomyosis

Hugo Maia, Júlio Casoy, Julio Casoy, Tânia Correia, Luís Freitas, Kleber Pimentel, Célia Athayde, Elsimar Metzker Coutinho, Elsimar Coutinho
Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology · 2006 · vol. 22(10) , pp. 547–551 · doi:10.1080/09513590601005375 · PMID:17135033 · W2040330088
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Gestodene-containing oral contraceptives suppressed aromatase expression in adenomyosis, while cyclooxygenase-2 expression did not significantly change throughout the menstrual cycle.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci is affected by previous use of oral contraceptives containing gestodene, and to determine whether changes in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression occur in adenomyosis during the menstrual cycle. PATIENT AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out in paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue obtained from patients with a histological diagnosis of adenomyosis obtained during the proliferative (n = 25) and luteal (n = 10) phases of the menstrual cycle and following the use of continuous oral contraception with gestodene/ethinyl estradiol (n = 7). COX-2 and aromatase expression were measured in both eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Aromatase expression was detected in 80% of the endometrial slices by immunohistochemistry. In positive cases, aromatase was mainly detected in the stromal cells of the eutopic endometrium, whereas in the adenomyotic foci this expression was negative in the majority of the cases. Oral contraceptives containing gestodene, on the other hand, were effective in suppressing aromatase expression in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium. COX-2 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in the glandular epithelium of both eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci and there were no significant changes in its intensity throughout the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION: Aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium and adenomyotic foci is suppressed by oral contraceptives containing gestodene. Increased aromatase activity may be responsible for the persistent COX-2 expression during the luteal phase.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715adenomyosis

MeSH descriptors

Aromatase Contraceptives, Oral Cyclooxygenase 2 Endometriosis Menstrual Cycle Uterine Diseases Adult Aromatase Contraceptives, Oral Cyclooxygenase 2 Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Gene Expression Gene Expression Humans Menstrual Cycle Middle Aged Retrospective Studies

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