Expression pattern of Aromatase Cytochrome P450 in Adenomyosis.

Objective : To determine whether local estrogen production takes place in adenomyosis and in normal endometrium. Methods : The study included 23 cases of adenomyosis and 17 cases of normal uterine endometrium obtained through hysterectomy or curettage at Kangnam Cha Hospital. The frozen tissue specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry using P450 arom. Results : P450 arom was immunolocalized exclusively in the cytoplasm of glandular cells of adenomyotic tissue. However, no apparent staining was observed in stromal cells. Aromatase was expressed in the ectopic glands (82.6%), but also in the eutopic endometrium of patients with adenomyosis (23.5%). In the case of normal endometrium, P450arom was not detected. Conclusion : These results suggest that the aromatase activity is correlated to the pathophysiology of adenomyosis.