Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the endometrium and its relationship to bleeding in users of continuous oral contraceptives.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether or not the presence of irregular bleeding during use of oral contraceptives (OC) is associated with increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

An observational study was carried out in 26 patients who were using gestodene 75 microg/ethinylestradiol 30 microg prior to endometrial resection. The patients were divided into two groups: those with amenorrhea (n = 14) and those who had irregular bleeding (n = 12). The resected endometrium was immunostained for COX-2, Bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression. Routine pathology was carried out using standard hematoxylin-eosin staining.

RESULTS:

Irregular bleeding during OC use was associated with strong COX-2 expression in both glandular and superficial epithelium. There were also more patients in this group with irregular endometrial maturation and higher Ki-67 values. Bcl-2 expression, on the other hand, was not affected by the presence of uterine bleeding.

CONCLUSION:

The presence of irregular bleeding during OC use is associated with strong COX-2 expression in the endometrium, thereby suggesting a pivotal role of prostaglandins in this process.

• Authors: Hugo Maia, Tânia Correia, Luis Freitas, Célia Athayde, Elsimar M Coutinho
• Journal: Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (Gynecol Endocrinol) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 96-100 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 0951-3590 [Print] England
• PMID: 16603435 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contraceptives, Oral
• Ki-67 Antigen
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Cyclooxygenase 2

Topics

• Adult
• Contraceptives, Oral (adverse effects)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (analysis)
• Endometrium (enzymology)
• Epithelium (enzymology)
• Female
• Humans
• Ki-67 Antigen (analysis)
• Middle Aged
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (analysis)
• Uterine Hemorrhage (chemically induced, enzymology)