Expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in pelvic endometriosis.

Abstract

Lack of expression or a deficiency of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17beta-HSD2), a key enzyme in estradiol inactivation, could be involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate expression of the gene (17beta-Hsd2) encoding 17beta-HSD2 in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis. Thirty-four infertile women were divided into a control group, without any clinical or laparoscopic evidence of endometriosis (n = 19), and a group with pelvic endometriosis (n = 15). Diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of the endometriotic lesions. 17beta-Hsd2 mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the control group (54% of the samples), in the eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis (83% of the specimens analyzed) and in all endometriotic lesions. The semi-quantitative analysis of 17beta-Hsd2 mRNA showed a significantly higher gene expression in the endometriotic implants compared with the intrauterine endometrium of the control group (p < 0.05). 17beta-HSD2 protein was localized to the glandular epithelium of both eutopic endometrium and endometriotic implants. The present results refute the hypothesis of lower or absent 17beta-HSD2 expression in pelvic endometriosis; therefore further studies are needed to assess other potential mechanisms leading to increased estrogenic activity within endometriotic implants.

• Authors: Márcia M Carneiro, Débora M Morsch, Aroldo F Camargos, Poli M Spritzer, Fernando M Reis
• Journal: Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (Gynecol Endocrinol) Vol. 23 Issue 4 Pg. 188-92 (Apr 2007) ISSN: 0951-3590 [Print] England
• PMID: 17505937 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
• Estradiol Dehydrogenases
• HSD17B2 protein, human

Topics

• 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases (genetics, metabolism)
• Adult
• Endometriosis (genetics, metabolism)
• Endometrium (cytology, metabolism)
• Estradiol Dehydrogenases
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
• Humans