Ki-67, Bcl-2 and p53 expression in endometrial polyps and in the normal endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the presence of proteins related to proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (Bcl-2, p53) in endometrial polyps and normal endometrium during the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Retrospective study using paraffin embedded tissue.


METHODS
Hospital affiliated to the university.


METHODS
Premenopausal patients with endometrial polyps.


METHODS
Seventy-eight premenopausal patients in different phases of the menstrual cycle were submitted to polypectomy using the Bettocchi hysteroscope. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of these proteins in endometrial polyps. One hundred and eighteen normal endometrial biopsies were used as controls.


METHODS
Detection of Bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In endometrial polyps, Ki-67, p53 and Bcl-2 expression was detected with more frequency during the proliferative than during the luteal phase of the cycle. Similar findings were observed in the normal endometrium.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial polyps undergo cyclic changes in the expression of their proteins related to proliferation and apoptosis during the menstrual cycle, similar to those of the cycling endometrium.
Maia
Hugo
H
CEPARH, Rua Caetano Moura 35, 402310-341 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Maltez
Amélia
A
Studart
Eduardo
E
Athayde
Célia
C
Coutinho
Elsimar M
EM
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D011127:Polyps; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53