Immunohistochemical assessment of superoxide dismutase expression in the endometrium in endometriosis and adenomyosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle in endometriosis and adenomyosis.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical identification of SOD in endometrial tissues using the monoclonal antibody.


METHODS
Department of obstetrics and gynecology in a university hospital.


METHODS
The subjects were divided into three groups: 36 patients with endometriosis, 38 patients with histologically proven adenomyosis, and 47 fertile control subjects.


METHODS
Endometrium was biopsied throughout the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Semiquantitative immunostaining (evaluation nomogram) score for endometrial cells.


RESULTS
The analyses revealed phase-dependent changes in the expression of SODs in the glandular and surface epithelia during the menstrual cycle in fertile controls. Specifically, the expression of copper, zinc SOD was weakest in the early and midproliferative phases, then gradually increased, and was most marked in the early and midsecretory phases. The expression of manganese SOD reached a peak in the late secretory phase. The expression of both SODs in endometriosis and adenomyosis was persistently higher than the control levels throughout the menstrual cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
The exaggerated expression of both SODs in the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle suggests that superoxide plays a key role in infertility in endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Ota
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita-city, Japan. otah@obgyn.med.akita-u.ac.jp
Igarashi
S
S
Hatazawa
J
J
Tanaka
T
T
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D013482:Superoxide Dismutase