Xanthine oxidase in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in endometriosis and adenomyosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of xanthine oxidase in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in endometriosis and adenomyosis.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical identification of xanthine oxidase in endometrial tissues by using polyclonal antibody.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-four women with endometriosis, 34 women with adenomyosis, and 44 fertile control women.


METHODS
Biopsy samples were obtained from the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle.


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


RESULTS
The level of xanthine oxidase expression in the glandular epithelium of control varied according to menstrual phase, but no such variation in expression was seen in endometriosis. Variation in xanthine oxidase expression was observed during the menstrual cycle in patients with adenomyosis; this variation differed completely from that in controls. Xanthine oxidase expression was found in ectopic endometrial tissue in all cases. The mean evaluation nomogram levels in the glandular epithelium in adenomyosis tissue were as high as those in the early secretory phase in the eutopic endometrium.


CONCLUSIONS
Aberrant expression of xanthine oxidase in eutopic and ectopic endometrium appears to play a pathologic role in endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Ota
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan. otah@obgyn.med.akita-u.ac.jp
Igarashi
S
S
Tanaka
T
T
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000209:etiology; D002828:Choristoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D012016:Reference Values; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*
D014969:Xanthine Oxidase