Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in deep endometriosis and matched eutopic endometrium.
OBJECTIVE
To identify any relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 expression and the intensity of severe, endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Patients with deep endometriosis.


METHODS
During surgery, paired samples of tissue representing deep endometriosis and eutopic endometrium were obtained from 46 patients. Control endometrial tissue samples were obtained from 34 fertile women who underwent laparoscopic tubal ligation or reversal of tubal sterilization. Pain assessment for dysmenorrhea was done with a 10-point linear analogue scale.


METHODS
The percentage of surface immunostained for Cox-2 was determined by an immunohistochemical technique. Relationships between pain score for dysmenorrhea and Cox-2 expression were analyzed.


RESULTS
Cox-2 expression was significantly higher in eutopic endometrial stromal cells from patients with deep endometriosis than in stroma from controls during the early, mid, and late secretory phases. In endometriosis patients, Cox-2 expression in eutopic endometrial stromal cells was significantly higher in women with more severe dysmenorrhea (pain score > or =7 vs. <7) during early and mid secretory phases.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated Cox-2 expression in stromal cells in eutopic endometrium from patients with deep endometriosis may play a role in severe, endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea.
Matsuzaki
Sachiko
S
Department of Gynecology, Hôtel-Dieu, Polyclinique, CHU, Clermont-Ferrand, France. sachikoma@aol.com
Canis
Michel
M
Pouly
Jean-Luc
JL
Wattiez
Arnaud
A
Okamura
Kunihiro
K
Mage
Gerard
G
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000201:enzymology
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases