Evidence for estrogen synthesis in adenomyotic tissues.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate steroidogenesis in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues in adenomyosis.


METHODS
Aromatase and estrone sulfatase activities were determined by anion-exchange resin column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and cocrystallization. The effects of danazol on the activity of these enzymes were also examined. Moreover, localization of aromatase in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues was immunohistochemically examined with antihuman placental aromatase cytochrome P-450 antibody.


RESULTS
Aromatase and estrone sulfatase activities were detected in ectopic endometrium. The activity of these enzymes was significantly suppressed by danazol. In addition, aromatase was immunohistochemically detected in glandular cells of eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that estrogen is synthesized in the eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of women with uterine adenomyosis and that it may affect the growth of adenomyosis. Danazol suppressed synthesis of estrogen in vitro.
Yamamoto
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Noguchi
T
T
Tamura
T
T
Kitawaki
J
J
Okada
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001141:Aromatase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D003613:Danazol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000201:enzymology; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013429:Sulfatases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004967:Estrogens; D001141:Aromatase; D013429:Sulfatases; C020121:estrone sulfatase; D003613:Danazol