The Role of Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Objective:To study the role of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein XIAP,mitochondrial proapoptotic factor Smac,and tumor necrosis factor alpha TNF-a in pathogenesis of endometriosis(EMT).Methods:The expressions of XIAP and Smac of endometrium without EMT(control,n=55),eutopic and ectopic endometrium with ovario-EMT(study group,n=65) were investigated by immunohistochemical assay.Cell apoptosis rates were tested by flow cytometry.The expressions of TNF-a in peritoneal fluid of two groups were measured by ELISA.Results:①Apoptosis rate in secretory phase was higher than follicular phase in control group(P0.05),but there was not cyclic change in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in study group(P0.05).Apoptosis rate in eutopic endometrium was lower than that in control,and apoptosis rate in ectopic endometrium was lower than that in both eutopic and control endometrium(P0.05).②The expression of XIAP during follicular phase was higher than secretory phase in both eutopic and control endometrium(P0.05).But there was no obviously cyclic difference in ectopic endometrium(P0.05).③The expression of Smac during secretory phase was higher than follicular phase in both eutopic and control endometrium(P0.05).But there was no obviously cyclic change in ectopic endometrium(P0.05).④The expression of TNF-a in peritoneal fluid in study group was higher than that in control group(P0.05),and there was no difference between stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ.Signification correlations were found between XIAP and Smac,Smac and TNF-α.Conclusions:In ovario-endometriosis,the increased expression of XIAP is benefit for locally and distantly metastasic of ectopic endometrium.While overexpression of mitochondrial proapoptotic factor Smac and TNF-αrestricted the growth of ectopic endometrium unlimited.So mitochondrial apoptosis play an important role in pathogenesis of endometriosis