Study on the expression of aromatase P450, COX-2, ER and PR in adenomysis

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of aromatase P450,COX-2,ER and PR in the patients with adenomysis. Methods The immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of aromatase P450,COX- 2,ER and PRin ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium of 30 patients with adenomyosis and 30 cases in control group. Results The expression of aromatase P450,COX- 2 in ectopic endometrium were significantly higher than those in eutopic endometrium(all P<0.05); The expression of ER,PR in ectopic endometrium were significantly lower than those in eutopic endometrium(all P< 0.05), excepted the expression of PR in eutopic endometrium, the expressions of both ER and PR lose their periodical cycle. There was positive correlation between the expression of aromatase P450 and COX- 2 in adenomysis group(P< 0.05). In adenomyosis,the expression of aromatase P450,COX- 2,ER and PR in dysmenorrhea subgroup were significantly higher than those in non-dys menorrhea subgroup(all P< 0.05). Conclusion Aromatase P450,COX- 2 and ER play important roles in the genesis and development of adenomyosis and dysmenorrheal, PR is not the main pathogenic factors of adenomyosis. The expressions of aromatase P450,COX- 2 and ER in adenomyosis have nothing to do with endometrial cyclical change and are not subject to the regulation of ovarian hormones. Key words: Adenomysis; Aromatase P450; Cycloxygenase-2; Estrogen receptor; Progesterone receptor