OBJECTIVE: Do endometrial polyps from pre- and post-menopausal women have similar immunohistochemical expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) and markers of cellular proliferation/apoptosis (Ki67 and Bcl-2). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. Non-parametric statistical analysis was used. SETTING: Polyps recruited from women attending an out-patient hysteroscopy clinic in a UK district general hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen pre-menopausal and 16 post-menopausal women who presented with abnormal bleeding with endometrial polyps. INTERVENTIONS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on endometrial polyps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Significant differences or correlations between hormone receptor expression (oestrogen and progesterone) and cell growth indices (Ki67 and Bcl-2). RESULTS: Endometrial polyps from pre- and post-menopausal women had significant differences in their expression of hormone receptors and Ki67. However, polyps from both groups of women had similarly increased levels of Bcl-2, an inhibitor of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and post-menopausal polyps exhibit differing hormone receptor and proliferation markers, presumably a result of their hormonal milieu. However, both groups appear to have lost the usual control mechanisms for apoptotic regulation, this appears to be responsible for their growth.
OBJECTIVE: Do endometrial polyps from pre- and post-menopausal women have similar immunohistochemical expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) and markers of cellular proliferation/apoptosis (Ki67 and Bcl-2). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. Non-parametric statistical analysis was used. SETTING:Polyps recruited from women attending an out-patient hysteroscopy clinic in a UK district general hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen pre-menopausal and 16 post-menopausal women who presented with abnormal bleeding with endometrial polyps. INTERVENTIONS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on endometrial polyps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Significant differences or correlations between hormone receptor expression (oestrogen and progesterone) and cell growth indices (Ki67 and Bcl-2). RESULTS:Endometrial polyps from pre- and post-menopausal women had significant differences in their expression of hormone receptors and Ki67. However, polyps from both groups of women had similarly increased levels of Bcl-2, an inhibitor of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and post-menopausal polyps exhibit differing hormone receptor and proliferation markers, presumably a result of their hormonal milieu. However, both groups appear to have lost the usual control mechanisms for apoptotic regulation, this appears to be responsible for their growth.
Authors: Carlo Saccardi; Salvatore Gizzo; Kathrin Ludwig; Maria Guido; Mara Scarton; Michele Gangemi; Raffaele Tinelli; Pietro Salvatore Litta Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2013-08-22 Impact factor: 3.411