OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of cyclooxygense-2 (COX-2) in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in ovarian endometriosis. METHODS: Thirty patients with ovrian endometriosis, 10 with ovarian chocolate cysts and 27 normal controls were enrolled it determine the expression of COX-2 immunohistochemically in eutopic or ectopic endometrium or healthy endometrial tissues. RESULTS: The immunoreactivities of COX-2 were found in epithelial cells and stromal cells in eutopic endometrium. The expression of COX-2 in the epithelial cells in the secretory phase was higher than that in the proliferative phase in the control group and ovarian endometriosis group (P <0. 05). But the expression of COX-2 in stromal cells in the control group and ovarian endometriosis group showed no cyclic changes throughout the menstrual cycle (P > 0. 05). The expression of COX-2 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in the ovarian endometriosis group was higher than that in the control group (P <0. 05) , hut we did not find significant difference between the eutopic and ectopic endometrium in the ovarian endometriosis group (P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION The increased COX-2 expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in ovarian endometriosis may he related to its pathology.
Adult ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Endometriosis ; enzymology ; Endometrium ; enzymology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ovarian Diseases ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs ) in the decidual stromal cells (DSCs) and extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVCT) in human early pregnancy and explore the change of MMPs in endometrial stromal cell (ESC) decidualization and its impact on implantation and placentation.

METHODSThe decidua and villi from 5 women with early pregnancy and mid-secretory endometrium from 5 normal women were collected and cultured in vitro, and the supernatants of the culture media were collected after 48 hours of incubation. The expression of the MMPs in the ESCs, DSCs and EVCTs was detected using Luminex xMAP system simultaneously and the difference in MMPs expression and their correlations were analyzed with SPSS10.0 software.

RESULTSThe MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-9) were expressed in ESCs, DSCs and EVCTs, while MMP-12 was not found in ESCs and MMP-13 not in DSCs. Expressions of MMP-8, MMP-12, and MMP-13 were lowered. Compared with the ESCs, DSCs and EVCTs showed significantly lowered expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-7 (P<0.05), whereas expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased significantly, and the high expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-7 was especially obvious in the DSCs. The expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-7, however, were significantly decreased in the EVCTs in comparison with the DSCs. Significant correlations were noted between MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-7, and MMP-2 was closely correlated with MMP-9. MMP-8 was significantly lower and MMP-12 and MMP-13 showed no obvious variation in the cell culture.

CONCLUSIONMMPs are secreted by ESCs, DSCs and EVCTs. Diverse MMPs play an important role in proliferation and differentiation of the ESC to affect embryo implantation and placentation. All MMPs establish a balance to co-regulate the process of pregnancy.

Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Decidua ; cytology ; enzymology ; Endometrium ; cytology ; enzymology ; Female ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; enzymology ; Trophoblasts ; cytology ; enzymology

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium in women with endometriosis. METHODS: RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR were used to examine the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium in 20 women with endometriosis and the endometrium in 20 women without endometriosis. Immunofluorescene staining was used to detect the expression of DNMT1 in these tissues. RESULTS: The expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b were significantly lower in the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium than those of the control endometium (P<0.05). The changes in the ectopic endometium compared with the control endometium were 0.44, 0.12, and 0.27 folds for DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b, respectively, and these in the eutopic endometrium were 0.27, 0.13, and 0.15 folds for DNMT1,DNMT3a, and DNMT3b, respectively. The expression level of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b between the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium was not significantly different (P>0.05 ). Immunofluorescence staining that DNMT1 protein level significantly decreased in the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium of endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION Decreased expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium may play a role in patients with abnormal epigenetics which may lead to endometriosis.
Adult ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; metabolism ; Endometriosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Endometrium ; enzymology ; Epigenomics ; Female ; Humans

The enzyme complex 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta(5)-delta(4)-isomerase (3beta-HSD) is involved in the biosynthesis of all classes of active steroids. The expression of 3beta-HSD in human uterine endometrium during the menstrual cycle and decidua was examined in an effort to understand its role during ova implantation. 3beta-HSD was weakly expressed in the glandular epithelium of the proliferative phase and moderately expressed in the glandular epithelium of secretory phase of the endometrium. In the decidua of the ectopic pregnancy, 3beta-HSD was strongly expressed. The human uterine endometrial 3beta-HSD was identified as being the same type as the placental 3beta-HSD by RT-PCR and sequence analysis. In addition to the expression of 3beta-HSD, P450scc was expressed in the decidua of the ectopic pregnancy. These results suggest that pregnenolone might be synthesized from cholesterol by P450scc de novo and then, it is converted to progesterone by 3beta-HSD in the uterine endometrium. The data implies that the endometrial 3beta-HSD can use not only the out-coming pregnenolone from the adrenal gland but also the self- made pregnenolone to produce progesterone. The de novo synthesis of progesterone in the endometrium might be a crucial factor for implantation and maintenance of pregnancy.
Cholesterol/chemistry ; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Decidua/enzymology ; Endometrium/*enzymology ; Female ; Gene Expression/physiology ; Human ; Menstrual Cycle/physiology ; Multienzyme Complexes/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Placenta/enzymology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnenolone/biosynthesis ; Progesterone/biosynthesis ; Progesterone Reductase/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Steroid Isomerases/*biosynthesis/genetics

The activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the uterine flushing and endometrial tissue of normal adult women wearing FCu-IUD (fixed Cu-IUD) or FICu-IUD (indomethacin-releasing FCu-IUD) was observed by using zymography on SDS-PAGE containing gelatin. The results showed that the activity and kinds of MMPs in FCu-IUD group were increased significantly as compared with themselves before being inserted FCu-IUD. However, compared with the FCu-IUD group, the activity of some kinds of MMPs in the FICu-IUD group was decreased significantly. These data suggest that IUD can enhance the activity of MMPs in human endometrium, intermediated by prostaglandins, and MMPs may have relation to IUD-induced menorrhagia and indomethacin reduces IUD-induced menorrhagia by partly inhibiting MMPs synthesis.
Adult ; Endometrium ; enzymology ; Female ; Humans ; Indomethacin ; Intrauterine Devices, Copper ; adverse effects ; Intrauterine Devices, Medicated ; adverse effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; etiology ; prevention & control

The activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the uterine flushing and endometrial tissue of normal adult women wearing FCu-IUD (fixed Cu-IUD) or FICu-IUD (indomethacin-releasing FCu-IUD) was observed by using zymography on SDS-PAGE containing gelatin. The results showed that the activity and kinds of MMPs in FCu-IUD group were increased significantly as compared with themselves before being inserted FCu-IUD. However, compared with the FCu-IUD group, the activity of some kinds of MMPs in the FICu-IUD group was decreased significantly. These data suggest that IUD can enhance the activity of MMPs in human endometrium, intermediated by prostaglandins, and MMPs may have relation to IUD-induced menorrhagia and indomethacin reduces IUD-induced menorrhagia by partly inhibiting MMPs synthesis.
Endometrium/*enzymology ; Indomethacin ; Intrauterine Devices, Copper/*adverse effects ; Intrauterine Devices, Medicated/*adverse effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/*metabolism ; Uterine Hemorrhage/etiology ; Uterine Hemorrhage/prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect mechanism of Sanlengwan (SLW) on estrogen production in ectopic endometrium of rats.

METHODThe rat model of endometriosis was established by surgical implant of endometrial tissue which belong to its body. Forty EMS model rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8): model control group, three different concentration SLW groups and anastrozole group. Meanwhile, eight normal rats were used as the normal control group. All the rats were treated for 4 weeks respectively, the changes of the P450 arom and cyclooxygenase-2 protein were measured by immunohistochemical test and western blot respectively before and after treatment of SLW, and the level of secretion of estrodiol and prostaglandin E2 was also measured by ECLIA and RIA.

RESULTSLW can reduce the expression of P450 arom protein, and the levels of estradiol after treatment of SLW were significantly lower than that of the model group in ectopic endometrial tissue (P < 0. 05); The high dose group of SLW can inhibit the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 protein and also reduce the production of prostaglandin E2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLW can reduce the production of estradiol in the ectopic endometrial tissue of rats, and its mechanism might be associated with inhibiting the expression of P450 arom and interruption the positive feedback loop of estradiol production.

Animals ; Aromatase ; metabolism ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; biosynthesis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endometriosis ; enzymology ; pathology ; Endometrium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar