title: Expression of the inhibin-alpha subunit in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrial tissue: an immunohistochemical analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determination of the frequency and tissue distribution of inhibin-alpha (INH-alpha) in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial tissue was obtained from normal, hyperplastic (glandular-cystic hyperplasia), adenomatous hyperplasia (AH grade I to III) and endometroid adenocarcinoma and immunohistochemically characterized with INH-alpha antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  INH-alpha was expressed in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium. Highest expression was observed during secretory phase and glandular-cystic hyperplasia compared to all groups. A continuous decline was noted from AH grade I to III with a significance between AH I and II.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A menstrual cycle associated expression of INH-alpha in glandular endometrial epithelium was observed. Since AH grade II and III can be considered as a precursor of endometrial cancer, INH-alpha could be a marker of cell transformation and an endometrial tumor-suppressor agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mylonas
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Makovitzky
authors.forename: Dagmar-Ulrike
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jeschke
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Briese
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friese
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007265:Inhibins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C094377:inhibin-alpha subunit; D007265:Inhibins