title: Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the endometrium at the end of 2 years' continuous combined hormone replacement therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the change of endometrial histology and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) in the endometrium after continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five postmenopausal women were recruited. All participants received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone (MPA) daily for 2 years. Endometrial biopsy was performed twice, before medication (baseline) and after 2 years of HRT, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the presence of Cox-2 expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More atrophic and weak secretory features of endometrium were noted after the 2-year HRT. Endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma were not found and immunohistochemistry results revealed that Cox-2 was not expressed in the endometrium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cox-2, known to play an important role in the tumorigenesis of cancer, was not stained in endometrium tissue after hormonal induction and more endometrium atrophy was noted after the 2-year HRT. From the results, it is noted that continuous combined HRT may be a relatively safe and appropriate regimen for long-term use in postmenopausal women.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao Kang Hospital, Hsiao-Kang District, 812 Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Shih-Cheng
authors: SC
authors: Hsu
authors: Cheng-Yu
authors: CY
authors: Long
authors: Cheng-Hui
authors: CH
authors: Yang
authors: Ching-Hu
authors: CH
authors: Wu
authors: Chien-Hsin
authors: CH
authors: Chen
authors: Fang-I
authors: FI
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone