Comparison of Steroid Metabolism Markers in Endometriumof Women with Endometriosis, Endometrial Hyperplasia andwithout Pathological Changes of Endometrium

Overview

Objective:
To fi nd out any relationship between presence of P450 aromatase and estrogen (ER)and progesteron (PR) receptors in eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosisand in estrogen-dependent gynecologic lesions (endometrial hyperplasia and endometriosis).Design: Retrospective study.Setting: Šikl’s Institute of Pathology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitaland Medical Faculty in Pilsen, Charles University.Methods: The examined samples were obtained from patients of Department of Gynecology andObstetrics, University Hospital and Medical Faculty in Pilsen (2001-2002) and elaborated in Šikl’sInstitute of Pathology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty in Pilsen. There were four experimentalgroups: endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis and eutopic endometrium of women withand without endometriosis. P450 arom, ER and PR were detected by using immunohistochemicalmethods with specifi c antibodies.Results: P450 aromatase was detected in a higher amount in endometriosis, hyperplasia andsome samples of metaplasia. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were detected in all examinedtissues. Number and spreading of ER and PR depend on the phase of the cycle. Lower number ofER was found in atrophic and metaplastic endometrium and in atypic hyperplasia. There was notfound any direct relationship between presence of P450 aromatase and both types of receptors.Conclusion: Steroid metabolism in examined pathologically changed tissues is due to molecularaberrations regulated on the local level. It is not possible to use detection of P450 aromatase asa diagnostic test for pelvic endometriosis.

Key words:
P450 aromatase, estrogen and progesterone receptors, immunohistochemistry, endometrium,endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia