[Expression of bcl-2 protein in adenomyosis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) protein in adenomyosis and its clinical implication.


METHODS
Endometrium specimens were obtained from 16 normal uterus and 32 with adenomyosis. bcl-2 expression in these paraffin embraced specimens was examined by immunohistochemical technique with specific monoclonal antibodies.


RESULTS
bcl-2 expression in normal endometrium showed a significant cyclic variation. bcl-2 expression of glandular cells in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium of adenomyosis also showed a significant cyclic variation. bcl-2 expression in endometrium of adenomyosis was stronger than that in normal endometrium, and bcl-2 expression in ectopic endometrium was stronger than that in eutopic endometrium.


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease of cellular apoptosis resulted from the high bcl-2 expression may play an important role in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis.
Zhang
L
L
Department of Reproductive Medical Research, Shandong Family Planning Institute, Jinan 250002, China.
Li
J
J
Li
M
M
D017209:Apoptosis; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019254:Genes, bcl-2; D006801:Humans; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2